Heaptalk, Jakarta — A wave of complaints has gone viral on social media as customers from multiple banks reported their accounts being suddenly frozen by Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK). Notably, several public figures were also affected.
Andrew Darwis, founder of Kaskus, shared on his personal X account how his Bank Jago (ARTO) account was abruptly frozen by PPATK order on Sunday (05/18)—when PPATK offices were closed.
Similarly, illustrator Asmara Wreksono posted about her experience after her Bank Central Asia (BCA) account was blocked. She stated she could only resolve the issue the next day when the bank branch reopened.
Responding to public concerns, the agency on Monday (05/19) confirmed that over 28,000 accounts were frozen in 2024 due to suspected illegal activities. Ivan Yustiavandana, head of PPATK, explained that the accounts showed strong indications of involvement in online gambling, fraud, and narcotics trafficking. “We are protecting dormant accounts based on banking data to prevent misuse by unauthorized parties,” Ivan stated.
PPATK emphasized that the freezing was conducted under its authority under Law No. 8/2010 on Money Laundering Prevention and Eradication. “This action is part of the National Movement for Preventing and Eradicating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, carried out by PPATK and other stakeholders,” he concluded.
