Heaptalk, Jakarta — Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) has blocked 1,049 accounts suspected of being affiliated with online gambling from July 2023 to June 2024.
This action is part of implementing a risk-based approach outlined in policies and SOPs related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. This approach aims to protect the bank from being targeted by money laundering and terrorism crimes, including online gambling.
“Also, an AML (Anti Money Laundering) system monitors suspicious transactions. As part of compliance risk management implementation, BRI also conducts Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), which is a more in-depth process than Customer Due Diligence (CDD), previously known as Know Your Customer (KYC),” said Agus Sudiarto, Director of Risk Management at BRI.
To carry out the blocking, BRI actively browses various online gambling websites for data collection. If a BRI account is found to be used as a repository for top-ups or deposits to play online gambling, the online gambling website will be saved as a basis for account blocking.
Agus added, “We have been carrying out this eradication process since July 2023, which is still ongoing. From July 2023 to June 2024, we have identified 1,049 accounts which were immediately followed by blocking.”
Previously, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) revealed six methods for engaging in online gambling, including depositing money directly into the bank, transfers, Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), virtual accounts, top-ups, and e-wallets.
