As Lebaran approaches, many people in Indonesia prepare to receive their Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR) holiday allowance. Funds begin to flow, transactions increase, and notifications start pouring in. The movement of money feels faster than usual.
This surge in transaction activity creates an ideal environment for fraudsters to slip in deceptive messages, links, or documents that appear convincing. When multiple notifications arrive at the same time, the line between legitimate messages and manipulated ones becomes increasingly blurred. However, it is important to understand that the spike in risk during the THR period is not a rare occurrence. In fact, THR simply highlights a pattern that has already been unfolding on a national scale.
Data from the Directorate for Electronic Certification and Transaction Supervision at Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs shows that digital fraud in Indonesia has reached a massive scale. Based on CekRekening.id data collected between 2017 and October 2025, fraud reports related to messaging applications reached 396,691 cases, followed by 281,050 reports linked to social media platforms.
“There are at least around 1,700 scam reports filed every day. The pattern continues to grow and is highly dependent on timing, usually ahead of major periods such as Eid, Christmas, and school holidays. One of the triggers is the public’s tendency to trust information too quickly without verifying its accuracy,” explained Teguh Afriyadi, Director for Electronic Certification and Transaction Supervision at Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs.
Looking deeper into the categories of crime, online buying and selling fraud remains the largest contributor. This finding highlights that digital transaction spaces, particularly those connected to consumption and the movement of funds, have become the primary battleground for fraud.
This implies that the greatest risks often arise from everyday habits. Limited time promotions and flash discounts also contribute by creating a sense of urgency, pushing people to make quick decisions without thorough verification.
THR and Payday Become Entry Points for Fraud Spikes
Findings from the VIDA 2026 SEA Digital Identity Fraud Outlook whitepaper show that fraud spikes tend to concentrate during periods of large scale fund distribution, including THR. Even outside these moments, there is a recurring pattern known as the “payday pulse”, a rise in fraud risk that occurs almost every month between the 25th and 28th, aligning with typical salary disbursement periods. How does this happen?
When people are expecting transaction notifications, messages about balance confirmations or reward redemptions feel believable. The increase in transaction volume provides opportunities for fraudsters to insert phishing links among legitimate notifications. This situation is further amplified by the psychological state of users, who may be rushing or experiencing a sense of excitement, making reflexive responses more likely than careful verification.
According to VIDA Chief Operating Officer Victor Indajang, digital fraud today is no longer carried out by isolated individuals but has become increasingly organized and industrialized.
“Every gap will be tested and exploited. That is why the first line of protection still begins with personal awareness. Do not be easily tempted, do not rush, and make verification a habit before taking action,” he said.
The question is simple but crucial. As fraud patterns become more structured and operate at larger scales, have our habits and protection standards evolved as quickly as the threats themselves?
Read more insights from VIDA at https://vida.id/en/wheresthefraud.
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