PPATK Keeps Close Watch on Binary Option's Alleged Affiliates

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) on Friday announced that it is closely monitoring the transactions of seven affluent social media figures who are allegedly involved in illicit binary option trades as trading platform affiliators.

“PPATK is preparing against what seems to be a new scamming trend using business as its scheme, which has major risks, unclear underlying [assets], and unregulated,” said PPATK Head Yustiavanda in an interview with Tempo on March 4. 

The agency has temporarily frozen the banking transactions of these binary option affiliators and influencers. One of the notable platforms under the watchful eyes of Indonesian authorities is Binomo. 

One social media personality embroiled in the illegal trading controversy is Indra Kesuma, also known by his followers as Indra Kenz, whom the police believe obtained his wealth by being an affiliate of Binomo.

PPATK said certain transactional profiles are being monitored, mainly unnatural transactions that are likely scams or money laundering. Yustiavanda also said famous micro celebrities who often show off their wealth on social media will be watched too.

From the transaction data collected, one name even made transactions more than 9,000 times in only one account, which reached a total transaction of almost Rp100 billion.

In addition to the seven people associated with binary options, PPATK has looked into 25 names suspected of being involved in the illegal trading of trading robots. “There are nodes of similarity in transaction patterns and network patterns. What is done is similar to online gambling," said Ivan.

Read: Police Nab Indra Kenz over Binary Option Trading Activities

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA