BCA Responds to Alleged Use of Its Accounts in Crypto Fraud

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) has responded to reports alleging that its accounts were exploited by perpetrators of stock and cryptocurrency investment scams. Hera F. Haryn, BCA’s EVP of Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility, stated that if the allegations are substantiated, the bank fully supports law enforcement efforts in addressing the case.

“BCA consistently backs law enforcement initiatives and remains open to coordinating with relevant authorities,” Hera said on Tuesday, March 25.

She stressed that BCA adheres strictly to all applicable regulations and procedures. Additionally, she urged customers to stay vigilant amid the rising prevalence of fraud schemes.

“We encourage customers to remain cautious of various fraudulent tactics and to never disclose their banking information,” she added. 

Victims Report Losses After Transfers to BCA Accounts

Cryptocurrency investment scams have come under increasing scrutiny following reports from victims who lost funds transferred to specific bank accounts, including those at BCA. The bank reiterated its commitment to cooperating with authorities to investigate the suspected misuse of its accounts by financial scammers.

The issue came to light when SW, a 63-year-old victim, disclosed that she had transferred money to a company-registered account that later proved to be fictitious. She had been deceived into buying cryptocurrency through a WhatsApp investment group.

The scam was orchestrated by an individual posing as “Professor AS,” with assistance from DH, who persuaded SW to invest via the JYPRX platform. The scammers provided account numbers from two major banks—BRI and BCA—for the transfers.

According to SW and screenshots shared with Tempo, the BCA accounts, registered under Garuda Perkasa Group PT and Saliem Timoer Group PT, were used to receive the fraudulent funds. She noted that other banks were also implicated, estimating her total losses at Rp330 million—money drawn from her and her husband’s retirement savings.

“I didn’t track every transaction closely, but in total, I transferred around Rp330 million,” SW told Tempo on Monday, March 24.

To gain her trust, the scammers initially provided SW with a bonus in USDT cryptocurrency and allowed small withdrawals. However, when she tried to withdraw her full investment, her account was frozen under the pretext of an investigation. She was then coerced into returning the bonus and even purchasing a new coin launched by the platform as a condition for releasing her funds. Despite complying, her account balance—valued at Rp2.4 billion—remained inaccessible.

Police Expose International Network of Crypto Investment Scam

The Cybercrime Directorate (Dittipidsiber) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) recently dismantled an international online fraud network masquerading as stock and cryptocurrency investment opportunities on platforms like JYPRX, SYIPC, and LEEDSX.

During a press conference on March 19 at Bareskrim Headquarters in Jakarta, Brig. Gen. Himawan Bayu Aji, Director of Cybercrime, revealed that the case emerged after a police report was filed. He reported that 90 victims have been identified, with combined losses totaling Rp105 billion.

The scammers enticed victims through social media advertisements. Clicking these ads directed users to a WhatsApp contact, where they were introduced to “Professor AS,” who claimed to offer expertise in stock and cryptocurrency trading.

“To learn trading techniques, victims were invited to nightly lessons led by ‘Professor AS,’ who promised to teach them how to maximize profits,” Himawan said, as quoted by Antara on Monday, March 24.

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