Before you start investing, make sure the company or platform you choose holds an official license from the Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, or OJK). This check helps you avoid illegal investment offers that can cause serious financial losses. So how do you check an investment's legality through O…
Before you start investing, make sure the company or platform you choose holds an official license from the Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, or OJK).
This check helps you avoid illegal investment offers that can cause serious financial losses. So how do you check an investment's legality through OJK? Here are the steps you can take.
How to Check Investment Legality with OJK
To confirm that an investment is registered and officially licensed, you can check directly through OJK's official channels. In general, these are the steps to check investment legality with OJK:
1. Gather the Identity Details
Note down the company name (PT), app name, website, destination bank account number, and product name. The app name alone is not enough. Why? Because the license is granted to the legal entity, not the app.
2. Check via OJK's WhatsApp
Save OJK's official WhatsApp number, 081-157-157-157, then send the name of the entity you want to check. You can type "Menu" and then choose the "Cek Legalitas" (Check Legality) option. This is the easiest way to check whether an investment app is registered with OJK.
3. Call OJK Contact 157 or Send an Email
Call 157, or send your question to [email protected] and [email protected]. This is useful if the entity's name does not show up on WhatsApp, or if you need written confirmation.
4. Check the Official OJK Website
Visit ojk.go.id to see the list of licensed business operators and the list of entities shut down by Satgas PASTI (the task force that combats illegal financial activity, formerly the Investment Alert Task Force). For educational materials and simulations, visit sikapiuangmu.ojk.go.id.
Note: not appearing on the illegal list is not proof of legality. Many new entities appear before they can be detected, so confirming an active license is still essential.
5. Test the Logic
Ask yourself: Is the promised return realistic? Are the risks openly explained? Are funds deposited into an account in the company's name (not an individual's)? If even one answer is doubtful, pause and seek advice first.
Why Does Checking Investment Legality with OJK Matter?
OJK licensing matters because licensed institutions are subject to supervision, reporting obligations, and consumer complaint mechanisms. If an entity is illegal, users receive none of that protection.
According to OJK data, Satgas PASTI shut down 1,222 illegal financial entities between January 1 and August 31, 2026. These comprised 951 illegal online lenders (pinjol) and 242 illegal investment offers, with the remainder being illegal private pawn operators and other activities. Counting from 2017, the number of illegal entities shut down or blocked has reached 15,228.
For comparison, throughout 2025 Satgas PASTI shut down 2,263 illegal online lenders and 354 illegal investments. In other words, unlicensed investment offers keep appearing, and the perpetrators like to change names after being blocked.
What Is a Bodong (Fake) Investment?
A bodong investment is an investment offer made without a license from the competent authority, or with a forged license. It typically promises unrealistic returns.
"Bodong" is an everyday Indonesian term, used by the media to describe fraud disguised as investment. Legally, it is called an illegal investment.
Satgas PASTI teaches one simple rule of thumb: 2L, meaning Legal and Logical.
A return such as 3% per day is considered illogical, because if it were truly achievable, the operator would simply keep the profits for themselves. According to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), UGM professor Eddy Junarsin also stresses that multiplying your money in a short time is not possible for a healthy business.
Warning Signs of a Bodong Investment
In general, fake investments share the following characteristics:
1. No License
They often claim to be licensed, but the claim cannot be verified. Saying "our OJK license is being processed" is not a license. Satgas PASTI has specifically urged the public to be wary of offers that claim to be still applying for a license.
2. High, Fast, and Guaranteed Returns
Legitimate investments always carry risk. If something promises "zero risk," that is a red flag.
3. Money Game Schemes
They rely on recruiting new members, as in Ponzi or money game schemes. Earlier members are paid from new members' deposits.
4. Celebrity Appeal
Fake investments, illegal online lenders, and similar schemes often use influencers or public figures as bait. This pattern appeared in the Binomo and Quotex cases, and the National Police Chief has named flexing (showing off a lavish lifestyle) as a favorite tactic.
5. Unclear Products and Mechanisms
If you cannot explain where the profit comes from, do not join. That alone is already a sign something is off.
6. Time Pressure
"Limited quota, sign up today" is typically used so the target has no time to check. With this trick, people who are easily swayed rush to join.
7. Impersonating Real Companies
Satgas PASTI has found fake accounts that used the names and social media of licensed entities, including securities firms. Therefore, make sure the domain and accounts you are dealing with truly belong to that company.
Legal Investment Apps Under OJK: Check by Product Type
The phrase “legal investment app under OJK” actually covers several types of institutions, each with a different regulator and a different way to check. Here is a breakdown by investment type:
- Stocks: Must be licensed: securities firms that are exchange members. How to check: check at IDX, confirm with OJK Contact 157.
- Mutual funds: Must be licensed: investment managers and mutual fund selling agents. How to check: OJK Contact 157, ojk.go.id.
- Crypto: Must be licensed: Digital Financial Asset Traders (PAKD) licensed by OJK. How to check: OJK Contact 157, list on the OJK website.
- P2P lending (as a lender): Must be licensed: licensed fintech lending operators. How to check: OJK WhatsApp 081-157-157-157.
- Commodity futures: Must be licensed: futures brokers and futures exchanges. How to check: also check Bappebti, then confirm with OJK 157.
For stocks and capital market products, also make sure you use an investor fund account in your own name, registered in the securities ownership system at KSEI. Being asked to transfer funds to someone’s personal account is a warning sign.
Conclusion
In essence, checking investment legality with OJK takes only a few minutes, while losses from a fake investment can wipe out years of savings.
The key is to hold on to three principles: make sure it is legal, test the logic of the promised returns, and do not rush. If in doubt, contact OJK Contact 157 before depositing any money. If you feel you have already become a victim, do not delay reporting it.
Disclaimer: this article is educational and is not financial or legal advice. We are not a licensed financial advisor.
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