Task Scams in Indonesia
Fake online task platforms in Indonesia luring workers with rupiah earnings for liking videos or writing reviews, then demanding escalating deposits to withdraw accumulated balances.
Part of: Task Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Task scams have proliferated across Indonesia through Telegram channels, WhatsApp groups, and Instagram ads, targeting a workforce increasingly open to online freelance income. The scams are often styled as legitimate gig work opportunities through platforms with professional-sounding names in English or Bahasa Indonesia.
Indonesia's large youth population and high youth unemployment rate make task-based income particularly appealing, and fraudsters craft their messaging accordingly — emphasizing flexibility, high hourly rates, and part-time commitments.
How this scam works on Indonesia
A Telegram or WhatsApp message offers part-time work completing simple digital tasks: menonton video (watching videos), menulis ulasan (writing reviews), or meningkatkan rating aplikasi (boosting app ratings) for Rp[amount] per task. After joining a group, victims receive a task dashboard that shows accumulating earnings.
The trap activates when victims try to withdraw: they must first complete a 'mission batch' that requires depositing rupiah to activate task sets. Each completed batch leads to another, larger required deposit. The fake group chat is full of co-participants posting withdrawal screenshots — all staged by scam operators.
Some Indonesian victims have deposited tens of millions of rupiah before realizing the platform is fraudulent.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited Telegram or WhatsApp message offering paid tasks with no prior application
- Platform requires deposit before allowing task completion or withdrawal
- Task earnings accumulate but every withdrawal attempt requires another deposit
- Group chat populated with constant screenshots of large earnings
- Company cannot be verified with Indonesia's AHU (business registry) at ahu.go.id
- Urgency pressure: complete the batch within hours or lose accumulated balance
How to protect yourself
- No legitimate gig platform requires you to deposit money to receive work
- Search the company name on AHU Online (ahu.go.id) before engaging
- Use established Indonesian freelance platforms like Sribulancer, Projects.co.id, or Fastwork
- Immediately exit group chats and stop payments the moment a deposit is requested
- Report platform URLs to Kominfo at aduankonten.id
How to report it
- Report at Bareskrim's cyber crime portal at patrolisiber.id
- File with Kominfo at aduankonten.id to get fraudulent platforms blocked
- Submit a complaint through OJK if the platform collected funds as an investment product
Frequently asked questions
Can I trust task platforms advertised in official-looking Indonesian e-government apps?
Scammers have created fake apps that mimic government platforms. Only use apps downloaded directly from verified developer accounts on Google Play Store, and check the developer name carefully. Government task platforms would be linked from official .go.id domains.