Over 28,000 bank accounts blocked in Indonesia’s online gambling crackdown

Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has revealed that more than 28,000 bank accounts were flagged in 2024 for being linked to online gambling and have now been subsequently blocked. The accounts were often bought and sold specifically to handle gambling deposits. The PPATK also found that many of these accounts were being used to funnel money from other illegal activities like fraud and drug trafficking.

In a post on X, PPATK pointed out that dormant accounts, which are accounts that haven’t been used in a while, are especially at risk. The inactive accounts are often taken over and misused by other parties without the original owner’s knowledge.

Hai #FIUtizen!

Berdasarkan Analisis dan pemeriksaan PPATK diketahui, bahwa pada tahun 2024 terdapat lebih dari 28.000 rekening yang berasal dari jual beli rekening yang digunakan untuk deposit perjudian online. Disamping perjudian online juga diketahui penggunaan rekening orang… pic.twitter.com/XWD5ShNyWx

— PPATK (@PPATK) May 18, 2025

Earlier this month, the PPATK already announced that it froze around 5,000 accounts, in a bid to “protect the public from the social harms of online gambling.”

PPATK Chief Ivan Yustiavandana said in a statement: “In accordance with our authority under Law No. 8 of 2010, PPATK has carried out temporary suspensions of customer transactions involving accounts classified as dormant, based on banking data.”

Cited by CNBC Indonesia, he added: “This step is part of the implementation of the National Movement for the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, carried out by PPATK in collaboration with other stakeholders.

“It is also part of PPATK’s ongoing efforts to protect public interests and maintain the integrity of Indonesia’s financial system. The temporary suspension of transactions involving dormant accounts is intended to safeguard account holders and prevent misuse by irresponsible parties.”

Customers whose accounts have been suspended can request reactivation by visiting their bank branch and following the required procedures. They also have the option to contact PPATK for further clarification. The temporary suspension does not affect customers’ rights or the funds held in their accounts.

PPATK explained that this measure serves as a notification to customers that they have dormant bank accounts, and in some cases, it may inform heirs or company leaders about accounts that were previously unknown. The agency stressed that the action is intended solely to protect the public and to strengthen the integrity of Indonesia’s financial system.

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