BRI Customer's Account in Malang Drained After Clicking on Pdf File, Rp549 Million Disappeared

Kapanlagi.com - Irwan Gema (61), a hotel entrepreneur in Malang, became a victim of data theft (phishing). The money in his BRI account amounting to Rp549.9 million was completely drained after clicking on a file sent through WhatsApp (WA) message.

The victim previously admitted to receiving a file that looked like a Pdf through a WhatsApp (WA) message. His mobile phone immediately malfunctioned (froze) as soon as he clicked on the file.

"The mobile phone immediately malfunctioned and the screen turned completely white," said Irwan Gema in Malang on Friday (14/7).

Irwan admitted to receiving the file on Sunday (11/6). He thought the file was from a delivery service for an online purchase.

His account was drained in two withdrawal transactions with a nominal value of Rp500 million and Rp49.9 million. The transactions were carried out by the perpetrator on Monday (12/7) early morning or a few hours after clicking on the file.

1. Considered Negligent

Irwan Gema became a victim of phishing and lost Rp 549 million / Credit Photo: KapanLagi - Darmadi Sasongko

Immediately, Irwan tried to service his cellphone and blocked all of his accounts in all banks. He also went to BRI Sutoyo Kota Malang to check transactions and ask for an explanation from the bank. But the money in his account had already disappeared and only Rp76 thousand was left.

Irwan himself admitted that he was technologically challenged (gaptek) and never used internet banking. But he was surprised to find out that his account could still be hacked.

"As a customer, I feel unprotected. The bank should be able to protect its customers. Because it could be that our phone was accidentally pressed or something," he explained.

Irwan said he had made various efforts but did not receive a satisfactory answer from the bank. He claimed to have received a reply letter from the bank that ultimately considered the customer negligent and at fault.

"Why did I click and it went through? It shouldn't be possible. If there's a thief, they can enter through the window, so the window should be guarded. Previously, I clicked on an apk file, it was a pdf, what file will it be tomorrow?" he gave an analogy.

2. Similar Incident

Irwan Gema fell victim to phishing and lost Rp 549 million / Credit Photo: KapanLagi - Darmadi Sasongko

Irwan has several accounts in several banks and only those accounts were hacked. He hopes that all systems in banks can protect their customers' accounts, so they don't experience losses like he did.

"I hope there won't be any other victims," he said firmly.

Previously, a similar incident also happened to Silvia YAP (52), a priority customer of BRI who lost Rp 1.4 billion in savings. The vehicle accessories entrepreneur in Lawang District, Malang Regency lost her money after opening a wedding invitation in the form of an APK sent through the WhatsApp (WA) application.

Silvia YAP admitted to receiving a wedding invitation message via WA from an unknown person on May 24, 2023. At that time, Silvia thought that the message came from the wedding organizer (WO). At that time, Silvia happened to be waiting for an invitation from her business colleague who had previously conveyed it verbally.

(kpl/dar/gtr)