The Investment Alert Task Force has blocked 4,352 illegal online lenders since 2018.

The Indonesian Investment Alert Task Force (SWI) has blocked 4,352 illegal online lending platforms, or pinjol, between 2018 and October 2022.

“Every day, SWI receives complaints from victims of illegal pinjol. Although some perpetrators have been prosecuted, it seems that some of them remain unrepentant,” said Tongam L. Tobing, Head of the Investment Alert Task Force, as quoted by CNN Indonesia on Friday (11/11).

Tongam stated that SWI blocked 88 pinjol platforms in October 2022 alone. This brings the total number of illegal pinjol platforms blocked since the beginning of the year to 618.

He continued, SWI is pushing for law enforcement against perpetrators of illegal online lending by continuously blocking websites and applications to prevent public access.

"Every entity whose activities are halted by SWI is ordered to return the losses suffered by the public. If the perpetrator makes it difficult to withdraw funds, immediately report it to the police. Do not easily believe the excuses made by illegal investment perpetrators," said Tongam.

Therefore, SWI continues to urge the public not to be easily tempted by offers of interest without considering the legality and fairness of the offer. According to Tongam, public awareness is crucial to eradicate illegal investments that continue to emerge with new modus operandi.

In addition to illegal pinjol platforms, SWI also blocked 9 fraudulent investment platforms and 77 illegal private pawnshops operating without permits in October 2022.