Antara, Jakarta – Bali Regional Police Cyber Crime Directorate states that the cybercrime perpetrator in Denpasar purchased 300,000 pieces of personal data from the dark web for Rp25 million. The sold data consists of Population Registration Numbers (NIK) and Family Cards (KK).
"For data sold at a price of Rp25 million, acquired by the perpetrator with the initials 'DBS' are 300,000 NIK (Population Registration Numbers) and KK (Family Cards)," said Bali Regional Police Cyber Crime Director, Chief Commissioner Ranefli Dian Candra in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Ranefli explained that DBS is the mastermind behind personal data theft since early 2022. The perpetrator used other people's personal data to register SIM cards and obtain OTP codes. These SIM cards were later sold to buyers to create accounts for a certain application to target promotions or play online gambling.
Before recruiting a dozen employees, DBS, along with two friends, first opened a counter business while selling SIM cards that were illegally registered.
Initially, they used phones with NIK obtained from the dark web manually. After running for five months, the suspect DBS then purchased two laptops and a modem pool. In one modem pool, there are 16 SIM cards that are immediately registered.
In August 2024, DBS purchased an additional 12 units of modem pools, bringing the total to 168 units. Along with the increasing income and high demand from customers, DBS recruited new members who were teenagers on average.
In addition to the 12 suspects who have been detained by the Bali Regional Police, investigators are still pursuing several others who are on the Most Wanted list involved in the case. "There are still fugitives because when we searched the Gatot Subroto office, it was empty. We are still searching, it seems that when we arrived at the crime scene, someone tipped them off, so when we got there, it was empty," said Ranefli.
The former Tabanan Police Chief said that the dozen members of the data theft syndicate were targeted to register 3 thousand cards in 24 hours with a rotating work system.
According to Ranefli, to attract customers, DBS and its members created four websites as promotional and transaction media. People who want to own illegal cards just need to download the application, choose the service they want to register for, and make the transaction. "Later they will be asked what application. It is already directed on the website depending on what the customer wants," he said.
Ranefli stated that the victims are mostly people who want to create accounts for certain applications. The police also suspect that the proceeds from this crime can lead to other crimes.
The mastermind DBS is a graduate of a Vocational High School in Denpasar.
According to Ranefli, there is no indication yet pointing to the use of data specifically for influencers. "It is clear from the confession that it is for people who need illegal cards to create accounts or applications. However, we should suspect that the circulation is quite widespread," he said.