Editing Swissindo (section)

== Response ==

===Indonesian law enforcement===
The Cirebon office of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) investigated Swissindo for alleged breaches of financial and criminal law.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The OJK refutes Sino's claims and brands Swissindo as a scam that targets vulnerable, desperate and poor individuals.<ref name=":2" />
[[File:Swissindo M1 voucher.jpg|thumb|A master bond that purports to entitle the bearer to a universal basic income of $1,200 a month.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12" />]]
The OJK reports that Swissindo followers were provided with vouchers that supposedly allow them to collect US$1,200 (Rp. 15.6 million) from the [[Bank Mandiri]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12" /> This practice began on June 6, 2017.<ref name=":6" /> However, the OJK's chairman has confirmed that the vouchers are not legitimate financial documents.<ref name=":2" />

{{quote|The activities carried out by the Swissindo National Examination are not true, because the repayment letter issued is not recognized by financial service institutions and the vouchers provided cannot be disbursed at Bank Mandiri.|source=Tongam L. Tobing<ref name=":2" />}}

The Investment Alert Task Force, National Police Bareskrim and [[Bank Indonesia]] have summoned Sino to a number of meetings.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12" /> The Task Force obtained an agreement that Swissindo would cease all activities relating to debt relief documentation, an apology from Sino for the unrest caused by Swissindo's practices and a request for Sino's statements to be made public.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12" /> Despite his assertions that Swissindo will stop issuing the M1 Master Bond, the cult has continued to operate.<ref name=":0" />

The OJK has urged individuals to only invest their money in companies that have acquired a business license from authorised agencies and a permit to offer investment products. The Financial Services Authority also warned the public to be cautious when any entity promises debt relief.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Tobing |first=Tongam |date=2016-11-01 |title=OJK AND INVESTMENT ALERT TASKFORCE UNCOVER TWO ILLEGAL INVESTMENT CASES AND A LOAN REPAYMENT FRAUD |url=https://www.ojk.go.id/en/berita-dan-kegiatan/siaran-pers/Documents/Pages/Press-Release-OJK-and-Investment-Alert-Taskforce-Uncover-Two-Illegal-Investment-Cases-and-a-Loan-Repayment-Fraud/SP%20110%20DKNS%20OJK%20XI%202016-ENGLISH.pdf |website=Otoritas Jasa Keuangan}}</ref>

=== United Nations ===
The [[United Nations]] has received informal reports of UN Swissindo's actions in South Africa and reported them to local law enforcement. In a press release, the UN branded Swissindo as a scam, affirmed that the UN does not charge a fee for humanitarian work and aimed to make it "categorically clear" that UN Swissindo is not part of the United Nations. It also urged the public to immediately report matters in which they are being asked to provide a fee for humanitarian work to their local authorities.<ref name=":6" />

{{Quote|There are many people around the world who come up with schemes on how to exploit the name of the UN to swindle innocent people of their money. South Africa is not an exception.|source=United Nations<ref name=":6" />}}

=== South African National Civic Organisation ===
The [[South African National Civics Organisation|South African National Civic Organisation]] (SANCO) has foiled several SANCO impersonators from recruiting new Swissindo members. The impersonators valued the recruitment process at a total price of R50. This consisted of R20 being charged for photos, R20 for certificates of application and R10 for the creation of email addresses. One such impersonator insisted that Swissindo applicants received R17,000 to R23,000 a month depending on their age. SANCO were highly critical of Swissindo actions, condemning the impersonation of their organisation for the purpose of misleading vulnerable individuals. These individuals included the elderly, young people and children as low as six years of age. SANCO has communicated with local South African media to warn potential victims of these fraudulent practices.<ref name=":6" />

{{quote|It cannot be correct that people use our name to rob our people in a country that has high unemployment rate. If we do work for our communities, we do it for free.|source=SANCO<ref name=":6" />}}

=== Membership ===

==== Targeting marginalised communities ====
Swissindo's followers have alleged that they were charged a “few million” rupiah for the M1 Master Bond, a voucher that the OJK has confirmed the illegitimate nature of.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> The debt elimination process supposedly costs US$400. The issuing of M1 Master Bonds has sparked controversy as Swissindo has reportedly targeted in excess of 500,000 individuals living in poverty.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://city-press.news24.com/News/more-than-500-000-poor-people-believed-to-be-conned-in-indonesian-scam-20181015|title=More than 500 000 poor people believed to be conned in 'Indonesian scam'|last=Fengu|first=Msindisi|date=2018-10-15|website=CityPress|language=en}}</ref> Former members have stated that their association with Swissindo has contributed to divorces, business failures and financial issues.<ref name=":1" />