Media names are often used as a method of fraud. In Aceh (Indonesia), this case occurred against the online media outlet kabartamiang.com. The potential victim was a serious one: the Aceh Tamiang Police Chief, AKBP Muliadi.
The perpetrator sent a message to the Police Chief claiming to be Hendra Aldrian, who was in Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh because his parents had been referred there for four days. In short, he asked for the Police Chief's assistance.
This act was considered reckless because it targeted a police leader with experience handling crimes, including fraud. The perpetrator only saw one aspect: his potential victim was likely close to journalists. This situation presented an opportunity to make money by impersonating journalists. The perpetrator may have overlooked the potential victim's anti-piracy mechanisms.
The editors of kabartamiang.com appreciate the Police Chief's response to contacting the media leader. Editor-in-Chief Hendra Vramenia confirmed that there is no journalist at kabartamiang.com named Hendra Aldrian. If another similar scam occurs, using a journalist's real name, they advise that they first confirm the situation.
To prevent other victims, Hendra Vramenia took the initiative to report the incident to the police. This time, the crime was unintentional, but the victim was the media outlet. This is a fraudulent scheme that undermines the independence and neutrality of the mass media.
It's possible that similar schemes will recur in the future, exploiting various opportunities for potential victims, targeting those who have established strong relationships with journalists. In the criminal world, a previously used scheme has the potential to be repeated, exploiting various opportunities.
In several cities in Aceh, individuals have impersonated journalists to solicit money from officials, exploiting specific opportunities. This isn't limited to sick parents, as in the case above, but also to specific occasions such as journalistic activities, training, seminars, congresses, or similar events. They claim the money is for the benefit of the organization, but in reality, the money is used for personal gain.
These considerations led Hendra to decide to report the incident to the police. He hopes the report will be followed up to deter the perpetrator.
For the police, it's certainly not difficult to uncover the perpetrator's location and identity using digital forensics. If cases like this are ignored because they're considered minor, the perpetrators will become more daring and target more potential victims, and one or two will fall into their trap. Therefore, prevention is necessary before victims fall.[]
