Indonesia's Immigration Warns of Fraud Via Google Maps Address Contact

Translator

Najla Nur Fauziyah

Editor

Petir Garda Bhwana

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Soekarno-Hatta Airport Class I Special Immigration Office urged the public to be vigilant of fake Immigration contact numbers displayed on its Google Maps page. 

“Beware of fraudulent, fake contact numbers,” said the Head of Information Technology and Communications at Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration, Muhamad Iman Paski, to Tempo on Monday, August 12, 2024.

Iman advised the public to be careful of the rampant fraud cases via Google Maps and to be wary of the contact number (+62) 8123-0034-40. The fake WhatsApp number has been inserted into the address information of several Immigration offices on Google Maps.  

The Secretary of the Directorate General of Immigration, Sandi Andaryadi, stated that this suspicious number was found when traced through the GetContact application.

The absence of valid information about the contact’s owner further strengthens the suspicion of attempted fraud. The Google My Business feature that allows users to edit business information is suspected of being misused by irresponsible individuals.

“We will write to Google to delete the number and ask the cell operator to block the number,” Sandy said. 

Sandy emphasized the importance of accessing information through official Immigration channels. Sandy warned the public to exercise caution while receiving information, especially those related to administrative and financial matters. 

“Always double-check and don’t be easily fooled. Contact the official number and social media of the Directorate General of Immigration and its offices,” said Sandy. Sandy said people are welcome to make use of the live chat feature on www.imigrasi.go.id from Monday to Friday from 09:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. Jakarta time.