August 6, 2025 | 08:30 am
The Head of the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), Ivan Yustiavandana, revealed that the blocking of dormant bank accounts has significantly impacted the reduction of online gambling transactions in Indonesia. The statement was made at the National Strategy Forum to Combat Financial Crimes at JS Luwansa Hotel, Jakarta, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Ivan mentioned that the temporary blocking of dormant or inactive bank accounts, which are often abused by financial criminals, is a strategic step in suppressing the circulation of illegal money. "When we block the dormant accounts temporarily, they cannot be used at all," said Ivan.
According to him, this measure has directly affected the decrease in the value of online gambling transactions. Based on the data presented at the forum, the value of online gambling transactions dropped from Rp 5.8 trillion to Rp 1.5 trillion in May 2025.
Ivan explained that dormant accounts are often used as tools by criminals to carry out their actions. "Dormant accounts are targeted by criminals to be used for illegal activities," he said.
He also provided an example of a complaint received by PPATK, where one complaint letter successfully exposed a network of dormant accounts used for online gambling transactions. "One complaint letter represents several accounts, and upon our review, we found that these dormant accounts have received a significant amount of money which cannot be accounted for in conducting online video transactions," said Ivan.
On the same occasion, Ivan requested that the measures of account blocking not be misinterpreted as asset confiscation. "What we are doing should not be interpreted as confiscation or seizure. Customer funds are completely safe," he emphasized.
PPATK claimed to have opened a number of previously blocked accounts from May 17 to early June 2025. However, the account reopening process still adheres to the obligation of financial service providers to update customer data. "The law states that financial service providers are required to update customer data," said Ivan.
Ivan stressed the verification of the legitimate account holders as crucial in order to prevent identity abuse in the financial system. "It is solely to maintain the financial identity of Indonesia, whether the customer conducting the transactions is indeed the account owner who registered as the user of the account," he said.
He added that the execution of bank account blocking and clarification is the primary responsibility of the banking sector. "Our friends in the banking sector will be the ones executing it on their computers," he said.
Furthermore, Ivan mentioned that the collaboration between financial institutions and supervisory authorities, including the Financial Services Authority (OJK), is crucial in strengthening the supervision system. "Now, in addition to PPATK's request, OJK can also apply their regulations, know and prove," he said.
Editor's Choice: Indonesia's PPATK Walks Back Policy, Unblocks 30 Million Frozen Dormant Accounts
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
No Rush Money Reports After Idle Account Blocks, Claims PPATK
12 jam lalu
PPATK explained that the banking and economic conditions in the country remain conducive.
Indonesian Education Minister Calls Roblox Game Dangerous for Student Development
1 hari lalu
Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, expressed concerns about Roblox.
Indonesia's PPATK Walks Back Policy, Unblocks 30 Million Frozen Dormant Accounts
4 hari lalu
The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has unblocked access to dormant accounts that were previously frozen.
Indonesian Govt and PPATK to Block Bank Accounts Linked to Online Gambling
4 hari lalu
Minister Meutya Hafid supports the PPATK's efforts to monitor accounts suspected of being involved in online gambling transactions.
PPATK Reopens Blocked Dormant Accounts After Backlash
5 hari lalu
PPATK has decided to reopen access to inactive or dormant accounts that were previously blocked. This decision has sparked debates within the community.
Dormant Bank Accounts: What Will Happen to the Balance?
5 hari lalu
Indonesia's Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has decided to temporarily block dormant bank accounts.
What Qualifies as a Dormant Bank Account? Major Banks' Rules Explained
6 hari lalu
The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) will block dormant or inactive bank accounts. What are the categories of inactive accounts?
Legal Basis for PPATK's Power to Freeze Dormant Bank Accounts
6 hari lalu
Indonesia's PPATK freezes dormant or inactive accounts for months or even years. It takes 20 days to reactivate them.
VP Gibran Urges BSU Recipients to Avoid Online Gambling
8 hari lalu
Gibran Rakabuming has called on recipients of wage subsidy assistance in Riau to spend the funds on productive activities instead of online gambling.
Number of Indonesians in Cambodia Involved in Online Fraud Surges
18 hari lalu
The Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia has handled 2,585 protection cases involving Indonesian citizens in the first half of 2025.
