Indosat blocks 500 million scam calls & messages in 3 months
Indosat has reported that its Anti-Spam and Anti-Scam feature has blocked more than 200 million risky calls and sent alerts for over 90 million suspicious messages since the tool was launched in August.
The feature, integrated into the company's broader AI and 5G network strategy, provides automated protection for customers against digital fraud without requiring them to download additional applications.
Network protection
The digital security system operates directly at the network level, screening and flagging suspicious communications before they reach users. According to Indosat, the service currently reaches an average of 11.5 million customers each month, offering early warnings that allow users to avoid potential scams. Recent internal figures show that more than 290 million spam calls have been identified on the VoLTE network, with the company extrapolating that over 500 million scam and spam SMS and calls have been marked in 2.5 months since launch.
"This technology is designed to help our customers of all age groups explore the digital world with greater confidence. With fast connectivity, accessible products, and strong protection, we remain committed to deliver world class digital experiences, connecting and empowering every Indonesian," said Bilal Khazmi, Director and Chief Commercial Officer, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.
Fraud landscape
The demand for robust anti-fraud measures is reflected in recent data from the GASA State of Scams in Indonesia 2025 report. It found that 66% of Indonesian adults experienced scam attempts in the previous year, with 14% suffering financial losses totalling IDR 49 trillion (USD $3.3 billion). The most common forms of scams were delivered via instant messaging and SMS, and over half of victims indicated the resulting stress impacted them directly.
Features and access
Indosat provides the protection primarily through its branded IM3 service as SATSPAM, which includes an automatic SATSPAM BASIC level for all prepaid users with active data packages and an advanced SATSPAM+ for enhanced link detection. Tri customers gain similar protection under the TRI AI: AntiSpam/Scam offering, which uses a colour-coded system for incoming calls and messages, denoting the risk level with turquoise, yellow, and red codes.
Additional protection is available via the myIM3 and bima+ apps for both IM3 and Tri users, with in-app alerts, colour-coded notifications, and a summary of call histories for flagged numbers. These services ensure users are informed of possible threats in real-time, and feature clearer messaging to aid understanding of risks.
Ongoing challenges
While the anti-fraud feature currently alerts users rather than fully blocking all suspicious calls or messages, the early-warning approach has contributed to reduced financial loss and increased digital awareness among the company's customer base. Indosat underscores the importance of digital literacy in tandem with technological defences. The company says it is guided by the Zero Trust principle, which requires verification before trust is granted for any digital interaction.
Over 145 million messages have been identified as spam or scam, including 110 million classified specifically as fraudulent, since the feature's inception. The system is being gradually improved with ongoing AI developments and cybersecurity education efforts for the public.
Indosat maintains that supporting both technology and public vigilance is necessary for customer protection and the wider resilience of Indonesia's digital infrastructure. The company aims to maintain the pace of protection in response to the evolving threat landscape.
