DENPASAR, BALINEWS – The Bali Regional Police’s Directorate of Cybercrime (Ditressiber Polda Bali) recorded a total of 2,209 cybercrime complaints as of October 2026, with approximately 1,500 involving online fraud. However, the number of cases successfully solved remains relatively low, with fewer than 100 online fraud cases uncovered.
The figures were revealed by Bali Police Cybercrime Director Commissioner Aszhari Kurniawan, S.H., S.I.K., M.Si., during the 2026 Digital Literacy Seminar, themed “Bali Cerdas, Bali Aman Digital” (Smart Bali, Safe Digital Bali), held at Ksirarnawa, Bali Arts Centre, Denpasar, on October 29, 2026.
Aszhari explained that identifying perpetrators remains one of the biggest challenges in investigating cybercrime, particularly online fraud. Criminals frequently use fake identities, fraudulent telephone numbers, and multiple layers of bank accounts to conceal their identities and cover their tracks.
“We have received 2,209 complaints as of October 2026, and 1,500 of them are online fraud cases. That is an extraordinary number,” Aszhari said.
He acknowledged that the rate of successful investigations remains far below expectations compared with the number of complaints received.
“Unfortunately, in terms of percentage, the results are still very low. Out of 1,500 cases, we have managed to uncover fewer than 100,” he stated.
According to Aszhari, the ease of conducting banking transactions, combined with the use of multiple bank accounts through a layering system, has made it increasingly difficult for investigators to trace the actual identities of perpetrators.
Another major challenge is that cybercrime is not limited by geographical boundaries. Perpetrators may operate from Bali while targeting victims overseas or in other Indonesian provinces. Conversely, criminals based outside Bali can also target residents of the island.
Aszhari also highlighted the use of virtual telephone numbers, which allow individuals to activate multiple WhatsApp accounts on a single mobile device. In some cases, the numbers used are registered in foreign countries.
Such practices make investigations more complicated, as perpetrators can operate using identities and telephone numbers that are difficult to verify and trace.
Amid these challenges, the Bali Regional Police’s Directorate of Cybercrime is encouraging greater digital literacy among the public as a key preventive measure.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant against various online fraud schemes and develop the ability to identify potential threats in the digital environment.
Aszhari emphasized that law enforcement efforts must go hand in hand with raising public awareness to prevent people from falling victim to cybercrime.
Through the digital literacy seminar, the Bali Regional Police’s Directorate of Cybercrime called on all members of society to work together to strengthen their knowledge and ability to recognize, prevent, and combat cybercrime as digital activities continue to expand.
