Deepfake videos of Indonesian President Prabowo used in fraud scheme across 20 provinces
Deepfake videos of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka were used in a fraud scheme that defrauded citizens across 20 provinces by soliciting administrative fees for fake financial aid. Police arrested at least one suspect who obtained 65 million rupiah, and the scheme spread across at least 22 TikTok accounts generating millions of views.
What happened
Deepfake videos of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto were used in a fraud scheme uncovered by police in February 2025 that targeted citizens across 20 provinces. Videos showed the president asking viewers about their needs and promoting fake financial aid, with victims directed to contact a WhatsApp number and pay between 250,000 and one million rupiah ($15-$60) as an 'administrative fee' to receive aid that never materialized.
At least 22 TikTok accounts promoted the same fraudulent scheme, with deepfake videos also appearing to show Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. One TikTok account with 77,000 followers achieved 7.5 million views on a fabricated Prabowo video, and another account shared 100 deepfake videos since January 2025.
Reported impact
Police arrested a suspect, Himawan Bayu Aji, who pocketed 65 million rupiah ($4,000) from the scam. A second person was detained in connection with another deepfake scam, and victims reported losing between 200,000 and one million rupiah to fraudsters.
Index analysis
Deepfake videos of the president continued circulating on social media after arrests, including dozens on TikTok with the hashtag 'Prabowo shares blessings'. AFP Fact Check found the scheme's reach was much wider than the two accounts police announced, with videos still available on multiple platforms.
Governance controls
TikTok removed one of the deepfake scam videos and the associated account, according to the company. The Indonesian National Cyber Crime Unit investigated and made arrests in the case.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.