Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Nezar Patria said that the activity of sending spam messages and online fraud has now become a cybercrime industry.
Nezar explained that this activity has now become an industry due to the large potential profits for perpetrators. According to internal data from one telecommunications company, financial losses from spam and scams can reach US$500 million, equivalent to Rp8.4 trillion.
"So, I think this spam and scam have become a cybercrime industry. They're raking in over US$500 million, and that's a very significant figure," Nezar said.
Nezar stated that the government cannot work alone to protect the public from the threat of cybercrime. He believes the active role of all stakeholders, especially mobile operators and digital platforms, is necessary in this effort.
