Rp 6 Billion Fund Skimming: Case of Alleged Celebrity Influencer's Bogus Investment in Bengkulu
Author : Berita Valas | Published On : 01 Jul 2026
The development of social media has changed the way society makes decisions, including in choosing investment locations. If in the past investment information was mostly obtained through financial institutions or official marketing personnel, now offers can come from social media accounts belonging to influencers, celebrities, and even well-known figures in certain communities.
That phenomenon brings two different sides. On one side, society is increasingly able to easily obtain information regarding various financial products. However, on the other side, the increasing trust in public figures also opens up opportunities for the emergence of various modes of fraud that exploit reputation and emotional closeness with followers.
The case currently being handled by Polda Bengkulu is one of the examples of how such trust can be exploited in suspected illegal investment. Based on information in the reference document, a celebrity with the initials NC, known as Yeyen or Cik Oboy, has been named as a suspect in the case of suspected investment fraud after investigators obtained what is considered sufficient evidence. The legal process is still ongoing, so all such suspicions will be tested through the trial mechanism in accordance with applicable regulations.
Estimated Loss Reaches Rp6 Billion
This case has attracted public attention because it involves a fairly large number of victims.
According to the statement of the legal representative of the victims as stated in the reference document, around 65 people are suspected to have suffered losses with a total value reaching approximately IDR 6 billion. Some victims are known to have not yet reported to the police because they still hope for a peaceful settlement or voluntary return of funds.
In many cases of illegal investment, a situation like this is not uncommon. Victims often choose to wait because they still trust the party offering the investment or are afraid that personal relationships will be disrupted if they directly take the matter to legal channels.
Actually, the longer the reporting process is delayed, the more difficult it becomes to trace the flow of funds and secure assets suspected to originate from investors' funds.
Allegation of Using Another Person's Name
One of the matters that has drawn attention in this case is the allegation that investment assets were purchased using the identity of another party.
According to information conveyed by the legal representative of the victim, there are suspicions that a number of assets were not registered in the names of the investors, but rather in the names of other individuals. If these suspicions are later proven in the legal process, then the process of recovering losses could become more complex.
Victims not only need to show evidence that they have transferred funds, but also help explain the relationship between those funds and the assets allegedly purchased. Therefore, documents such as transfer receipts, conversations, agreements, and transaction records are very important in the evidence-gathering process.
The Danger of Social Proof in Investment
One of the factors that makes illegal investments often succeed in attracting victims is the phenomenon of social proof, which is the tendency of a person to believe something because many other people also believe it.
On social media, someone who has many followers, often showcases a luxurious lifestyle, or receives many positive comments can be considered to have high credibility. As a result, potential investors often feel more confident without first conducting checks on the legality of the business or the investment mechanism being offered.
Actually, the number of followers is not proof that an investment product has obtained permission. Popularity also cannot be used as a measure of safety in managing public funds. Investment decisions must still be based on information that can be objectively verified.
Apply the 2L Principle Before Investing
To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of illegal investment, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) continues to remind the public to apply the principle of 2L, namely Legal and Logical.
Legal means ensuring that the company, product, or party offering the investment has obtained the necessary permits in accordance with applicable regulations. Logical means assessing whether the promised benefits are still reasonable when compared to the risk level and the business model being implemented.
If an investment offers very high returns in a short period without adequate explanation of risks, the public should not rush to transfer funds.
Satgas PASTI also calls on the public to immediately report suspected illegal investment offers through the official OJK channels so that handling measures can be taken promptly.
Preventive Measures for Investors
This case provides a number of important lessons for the community that wants to start investing.
Before disbursing funds, investors should request documents that explain the investment mechanism in writing. Ensure that the destination account truly corresponds to the identity of a legitimate business entity and not a personal account without a clear legal basis.
In addition, all communication evidence, transfer evidence, investment proposals, and agreement documents need to be well preserved. Such simple steps can serve as very important evidence if disputes or suspicions of criminal acts arise in the future.
Investors also need to be cautious if the asset is said to be purchased using the name of another party or if the profit is only promised based on personal trust without a transparent mechanism.
Conclusion
The case of suspected fraudulent investment involving a celebrity in Bengkulu shows that the threat of illegal investment now does not always come through unknown companies. Instead, the offer can come from figures who are popular, close to the community, and have a positive image on social media.
Since the legal process against NC is still ongoing, all allegations will be proven through a trial. However, regardless of the final outcome, this case serves as a reminder that investment decisions must always be based on the principle of due diligence. Conducting legal verification, understanding the business model, keeping all transaction documents, and not being easily influenced by someone's popularity are important steps to protect assets and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of illegal investment.
