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Sent money to a job scammer in Indonesia? Steps for the first hour, day and week

Written by KarirAman editorial team Approved by Kaiser Khan (editor), Updated

Paid a job scammer in Indonesia? Call your bank, report to IASC and make a police report. The sooner you report, the better the chance of a freeze.

Summary

  • According to Indonesia's Anti-Scam Centre (IASC), scammers move money within minutes, so reporting speed decides whether funds can be blocked.
  • OJK asks victims to report to IASC and also make a police report; the two serve different purposes.
  • One IASC form covers transactions from one of the victim's accounts to the scammer's account.
  • If money can be returned, only the bank or payment provider you used will contact you, not IASC or anyone else.
  • IASC states that reporting does not guarantee you will get your money back.
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On this page
  1. Sent money to a scammer? What should you do in the first hour?
  2. How do you report to IASC, and what do you need?
  3. What should you do on the first day?
  4. What should you do in the first week?
  5. Can money you transferred be recovered?
  6. How do you spot a 'fund recovery' scam?
  7. What is IASC, and is it official?
  8. How long does an IASC report take, and how do you check its status?
  9. How does a scammer's account get frozen?
  10. Who should you contact right now?
  11. How can you avoid losing more?

Sent money to a scammer? What should you do in the first hour?

Stop all payments, whatever reason you are given. Call the bank or payment provider you used on the official number on your card or app. Report to IASC at iasc.ojk.go.id through Lapor Sekarang and keep the report number. According to IASC, scammers move money to other accounts within minutes, so even a report one hour later can be too late for the first account. Do not wait out of embarrassment or for the scammer to reply.

How do you report to IASC, and what do you need?

IASC asks for your personal details and a photo of your ID, an active phone number and e-mail, whatever you know about the scammer such as phone numbers and accounts, a chronology with dates and times, your bank and account number and the receiving account, the amount and time of transfer, and transfer proof, which must be uploaded. Add screenshots of the chats and the ad. One form covers transactions from one of your accounts to the scammer's account; if you paid from several accounts, file separate reports.

What should you do on the first day?

Make a police report at the SPKT desk of the nearest Polres or Polsek and ask for the receipt. IASC says its report does not replace a police report. If you shared an OTP code, PIN or password, or installed an APK file from the scammer, change important passwords from another device and call your bank. If an APK file is installed, switch off the internet and delete the app.

What should you do in the first week?

Track your IASC report with its number through the Cek Laporan menu at iasc.ojk.go.id. Keep the police report receipt; according to the national police, the person who reported has the right to regular progress letters (SP2HP) on the investigation. If you sent your KTP, a selfie with ID or bank details, watch for loans taken out in your name, because Kemnaker says such data can be misused for online loans.

Can money you transferred be recovered?

There is no guarantee. According to IASC, whether funds can be saved depends heavily on how fast the victim reports, and tracing can take time because scammers use layers of mule accounts. If any money is secured and can be returned, you will be contacted officially only by the bank or payment provider you used for the transfer.

How do you spot a 'fund recovery' scam?

After being scammed, you may be contacted by someone claiming they can get your money back for a fee. IASC states that if money can be returned, only your own bank or payment provider will contact you, not IASC and not the scammer's bank. So refuse anyone who asks for a fee, bank details, an OTP code or access to your phone in exchange for recovering your money.

What is IASC, and is it official?

Yes. IASC (Indonesia Anti-Scam Centre) is a coordination forum led by Indonesia's financial services authority (OJK) through Satgas PASTI, with banks, payment providers, e-commerce firms and government bodies as members. You report yourself on the official portal, iasc.ojk.go.id. Beware of anyone else offering to report or recover funds for a fee; according to IASC, news about returned funds comes only from your own bank or payment provider.

How long does an IASC report take, and how do you check its status?

IASC publishes no fixed processing time. After reporting you get a ticket number; your own bank or payment provider verifies the report first, then it is forwarded to the institution holding the scammer's account, and IASC administrators supervise each stage against service deadlines. Keep the report number and track it through the Cek Laporan menu at iasc.ojk.go.id.

How does a scammer's account get frozen?

Victims do not freeze accounts themselves. Through IASC, your report goes to the bank or payment provider holding the scammer's account, which must promptly delay transactions (a freeze), investigate and trace the money. So report as soon as you can, one report for each of your accounts used to pay, and also make a police report for the legal process.

Evidence to keep

  • Transfer proof or a mobile-banking screenshot showing the successful transaction.
  • The bank name, account number and account holder's name of the receiving account.
  • Screenshots of the ad, account or website you saw.
  • Screenshots of the chats with the scammer, including their phone number or account name.
  • A short chronology with dates and times.
  • Your IASC report number and the police report receipt.

Who should you contact right now?

A step-by-step guide to filling in the IASC form is available at Panduan Warga guide to reporting fraud to IASC. To watch your credit record after your data has leaked, see Panduan Warga guide to checking your OJK credit record.

How can you avoid losing more?

Do not reply to the scammer and do not send any more money, including to "unlock" funds or pay a "tax" on a payout. Tell your family so they recognise the same pattern. Review the warning signs in Signs of a fake job offer, and check the next offer with the job checker before you respond.

Frequently asked questions

Will I definitely get my money back if I report to IASC?

No. IASC states that reporting does not guarantee funds come back. Its aim is to speed up holds on transactions and the blocking of scammers' accounts to secure whatever money may remain. Until your own bank officially tells you otherwise, IASC asks victims to assume the money cannot be saved.

I paid in cash, not by transfer. Where do I report?

IASC reports are for transactions through banks, payment providers or e-commerce. For a cash payment, make a police report at the SPKT desk of the nearest police station and bring whatever evidence you have, such as receipts, chats and the scammer's details.

I am abroad and was cheated by a job agent. Who can help?

Contact Kemlu's Peduli WNI service or the nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate, especially if you do not hold your passport or feel unsafe. For transfers from an Indonesian bank account, you or your family can still report to IASC online.

Who wrote and reviewed this page?

Written by KarirAman editorial team Published Updated

Prepared with AI assistance. Checked against official sources and approved for publication by Kaiser Khan (editor). Approval date: .

Sources

The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.

  1. Indonesia Anti-Scam Centre (IASC): Tentang, Langkah Pelaporan dan FAQ Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (IASC) · accessed
  2. Waspada, Penipuan (Scam) Mengintai Kita. Ayo Lawan dan Hindari! (Booklet Satgas PASTI) Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (Sekretariat Satgas PASTI) · accessed
  3. Sentra Pelayanan Kepolisian Terpadu (SPKT) Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia · accessed
  4. Surat Pemberitahuan Perkembangan Hasil Penyidikan (SP2HP) Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia · accessed
  5. 6 Ciri Lowongan Kerja Bodong yang Perlu Diwaspadai Kompas TV · official statement via media · accessed
  6. Marak Penipuan Berkedok File APK, Ini Risiko dan Langkah Pencegahannya Bank Muamalat Indonesia · third party · accessed
  7. Portal Peduli WNI: pelayanan dan pelindungan WNI di luar negeri Kementerian Luar Negeri RI · accessed
  8. Ini 5 ciri-ciri lowongan kerja palsu versi Kemnaker Republika · official statement via media · accessed
How to cite

KarirAman (2026). Sent money to a job scammer in Indonesia? Steps for the first hour, day and week. Updated 8 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/job-scams/already-paid/

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Change log
  • : Added answers about IASC: whether it is official, how long it takes, how to check a report and how a scammer's account is frozen.