Fact Check: Is Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Giving Away Rp250 Million Grants?
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Investigation Reveals Fake Grant Distribution by Indonesia’s Finance Minister
Viral social media posts have been circulating claims that Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa is distributing Rp250 million in grant assistance for July 2026. These videos show the minister handing out money, with promises that registration and payment happen on the same day. However, our investigation uncovered that these clips are heavily manipulated using artificial intelligence technology to mislead the public.
Methodology Behind the Verification
Our fact-checking team employed multiple approaches to validate the authenticity of these viral videos. We contacted the WhatsApp numbers displayed in the posts, utilized reverse image search capabilities, applied fake-fake detection software, and consulted with digital security specialists. All evidence pointed toward the conclusion that these videos were created through manipulation techniques designed to deceive viewers.
The WhatsApp Number Deception
When our team reached out to one of the WhatsApp numbers featured in the viral posts, pretending to be interested in the grant program, we received an unexpected response. The person managing that number claimed to offer financial assistance originating from Saudi Arabia. There was a catch, however: recipients would need to surrender 30 percent of the total amount to cover construction and operational costs for places of worship. Additionally, the administrator requested personal documentation including identification cards and bank account details.
Further investigation revealed that the official Instagram account of the Ministry of Finance’s Information and Documentation Management Officer (PPID Kemenkeu) had already issued a warning about this particular scam. The minister’s statement from July 9, 2026, clearly advised citizens to remain cautious regarding videos falsely attributed to Purbaya.
“The public is advised to be wary of the spread of videos and fake news purporting to be from Minister of Finance Purbaya,” the statement on July 9, 2026, read.
Our team cross-referenced the social media WhatsApp numbers against the ministry’s official contact list. Only three legitimate numbers exist on the ministry’s website: the Directorate General of Budget (0811-1646-116), the Directorate General of Economic and Fiscal Strategy (081310004134), and the Financial Technology, Information, and Intelligence Agency (081310004134). None of these match the numbers appearing in the viral posts.
Video Analysis Results
Four distinct video variants were identified and analyzed. The first clip originated from a Tribunnews report covering the State Budget (APBN) Press Conference held at the Ministry of Finance Office in Jakarta during early June 2026. In the original footage, Purbaya presented financial reports rather than offering aid. The manipulated version displays inconsistencies in wall textures, lighting conditions, and monitor screens behind the officials.
AI detection tools provided varying results across the videos. For the first video, ‘AI or Not’ indicated a 46 percent likelihood of artificial intelligence involvement, while Hive Moderation detected AI elements at 95 percent. The second video, originally captured during a working meeting with Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Senayan Parliament Complex on September 10, 2026, showed 62 percent AI probability according to ‘AI or NOT’ and 99 percent via Hive Moderation.
The third video was an edited version of an Antara report from April 6, 2026, where Purbaya discussed transportation and fuel policies. This clip registered 55 percent AI elements with ‘AI OR Not’ and achieved a remarkable 99.8 percent detection rate from Hive Moderation. The fourth and final video came from a casual TikTok recording uploaded by the account purbayayudhis on September 27, 2025. Originally, Purbaya was responding to comments about his initiative encouraging citizens to become wealthy together, with no mention of prize giveaways through word-guessing contests.
This last video showed AI element percentages ranging from 68 to 78 percent according to ‘AI OR Not’, while Hive Moderation recorded a 99.2 percent detection rate.
Hidden Agenda: Personal Data Collection
Beyond the financial deception, these manipulated videos serve another purpose. The scam aims to collect personal information from unsuspecting citizens who believe they are qualifying for substantial government grants. By requesting identification documents, bank account details, and other personal data, the perpetrators can potentially exploit this information for various fraudulent activities.
Netizens are encouraged to verify any claims about government assistance through official channels before sharing personal information or sending money to unknown recipients.
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