East Java Civil Servant Recruitment Scam Allegedly Involves Military Personnel, Losses Top $20 Billion

A sophisticated scam preying on aspiring civil servants has emerged in East Java, Indonesia, leaving victims with an estimated financial loss of over $20 billion. The alleged perpetrators, reportedly including active military personnel, promised successful placement in government agencies through a non-existent 'special' selection process.

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The modus operandi is that the victims are approached by people who are currently serving in active military agencies. However, they offer the victims to meet with the perpetrator OP.

At least 20 individuals have come forward to the East Java Regional Police, detailing how they were approached after failing the official civil servant selection tests. These individuals were then introduced to a person identified as OP, the owner of a training institution in Sidoarjo, who claimed to guarantee positions in various ministries, prosecutor's offices, and even the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN).

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There are many agencies promised, such as ministries, prosecutor's offices, and also IPDN and state-owned enterprises.

Victims reported paying between $300 million and $700 million Rupiah, depending on the promised agency. The scam involved providing victims with official-looking documents, including decrees and test schedules, which were later discovered to be entirely fake. The elaborate deception included directing victims through mock academic, physical, and psychological tests, creating a false sense of legitimacy before the financial transaction was complete.

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For example, if you want to enter agency A, you have to spend Rp700 million, for agency B, you spend Rp500 million. It varies like that.