Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has raised concerns over the alarming surge in digital financial fraud across Indonesia, warning that increasingly sophisticated scams are putting millions at risk.

Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) recorded total public losses of Rp7.5 trillion (US$450 million) during the January–October 2025 period due to financial scams.

“Seven out of 10 Indonesians face attempted digital fraud every week, and one in four has lost money to scams,” Queen Máxima said during a joint press conference with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health and OJK in Jakarta on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

She emphasized the need for stronger public protection measures, including digital identity systems, secured data-sharing mechanisms, and real-time public scam alerts as scam tactics evolve rapidly.

“For example, [a warning message appears] ‘Be careful, this is a new scam technique.’ It has proven to be effective,” she added, noting that several countries already apply automated warnings before a user confirms a payment.

Escalating online scam reports

OJK’s Executive Chief for Consumer Protection and Financial Education, Friderica Widyasari Dewi, said the latest National Financial Literacy and Inclusion Survey shows 66.46 percent literacy and 80.51 percent inclusion ‒ yet scams continue to proliferate.

Among the most frequently reported crimes is online shopping fraud, with over 58,000 cases and losses exceeding Rp1 trillion.

“In a single day, we can receive 800–1,000 scam reports,” Friderica said during the Financial Healing event held by Katadata on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Fake calls are also escalating, where scammers impersonate relatives or fabricate emergencies to pressure victims into instant money transfers.

Investment fraud is another major concern. Friderica noted that scammers are exploiting the rising interest in investing among young Indonesians by promoting fraudulent high-return schemes.

Authorities say Indonesia must accelerate public education and advance fraud-prevention technology to keep pace with fast-changing cybercrime threats.