High-End Debt Collector Services Chosen as a Shortcut in Indonesia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — An investigation by Kompas Daily found that high-profile debt collection is not a rogue activity. This practice is carried out through careful planning, digital research, field security, and anticipation of criminal risks. Pressure is orchestrated to remain within the legal gray area.

High-end debt collectors generally deal with elite debtors, entrepreneurs, officials, or professionals with debts reaching billions of rupiah. Feri (43), not his real name, has been involved in the debt collection world for more than two decades. In early January 2026, he received a task from a former regional head to collect a debt of Rp 6 billion from a notary in Jakarta.

The former governor provided funds for investment in a mining company, but the money was instead consumed by the notary. Now, he is using us to request that money again.

Before going into the field, Feri requested 5 percent of the debt value as operational funds to form a collection team and track targets. He admitted that he had to pay a network of individuals in an official institution to trace the whereabouts of debtors through phone numbers and financial transaction histories.

“Tracking is referred to as checking the post. We once rewarded (someone) with Rp 50 million. It is indeed expensive because the person who helped us risked their position if their superior found out,” he said when met on Saturday (3/1/2026) in Jakarta.

In addition, sometimes Feri pays people to demonstrate against targets that own factories or businesses. Protests exert psychological pressure on debtors as they disrupt the production process of the factories. “These days are not like the old times; you can no longer just act recklessly. You have to use clever methods,” he stated.

There’s also a budget for “sharing the spoils” with vigilantes or thugs at collection points. The goal is to reduce the risk of conflict if the debt collector has backup.

According to Feri, the reputation of high-class debt collectors is determined by how quickly and cleanly they complete their tasks. Violence would be detrimental to the clients.

“There is a statement in the power of attorney given to us by the client; if we commit a crime, it is not the boss’s responsibility,” he said.

The reputation of the “clean play” approach is also acknowledged by Pablo (43). He relies on digital research and field surveys to map out financial conditions, social relations, and the potential backing from officials or thugs of debtors.

If I go down to the field, I do not want to ‘stay’ in one place. I must keep moving to anticipate the worst-case scenario if there is an opponent who wants to harm me.

Field surveys are needed to map the residences of debtors or the relevant offices to assess the level of vulnerability in the event of physical conflict. Pablo tries to avoid physical conflict as much as possible because it could lead to long-term criminal issues.

In addition, Pablo also archived various digital evidence, particularly conversations in messaging applications. He recorded all processes so that, in the event of violence, authorities could easily assess which party initiated the matter.

“I regularly copy the data on my phone to various storage media and give it to my wife. I told her, ‘If anything happens, give this to my lawyer,'” he said.

When meeting with debtors, Pablo is usually accompanied by one or two individuals. If a debtor has been met several times but still refuses to pay the debt, Pablo will ask one of his colleagues to speak in a somewhat raised voice. Meanwhile, he plays a cooler and calmer role.

“That’s a trick. I always speak humbly, it’s like begging. If they still don’t want to appreciate it, then fine, I will show my true nature,” he explained.

High-class debt collectors do not work alone. A lawyer based in East Jakarta, Arnold JP Nainggolan, once employed the services of a debt collector to resolve a case. Lawyers can grant authority to someone to collect debts on behalf of their clients.

“Life should not be a double loss. One should not waste time and money. Sometimes (by using collection services) it can be faster. This is because clients do not want to lose money and also waste time waiting,” he said on Monday (5/1/2026).

The corporate level is taking similar steps, opting to use third parties such as Priyanto Hadisaputro, a lawyer who assists in resolving inter-company debts. Typically, he deals with invoices for goods and services that are delayed in payment. “During negotiations, I simply ask, ‘Do you want to pay or not? If not, then I will proceed to court,'” said Hadisaputro, who claims to be a practicing collection attorney, Thursday (8/1/2026).

One of the clients who had previously utilized the services of Hadisaputro is Computrade Technology International (CTI) Group, a company engaged in the marketing of information technology products. The company’s internal billing department, which was delegated, failed to collect payments, necessitating the involvement of an external collector.

“Because our company maintains its reputation, we must avoid inappropriate collection practices. Therefore, we partnered with Mr. Hadi as he is an expert in the field of collections,” said one of the legal team members of CTI Group, Agus Prakoso, on Friday (9/1/2026).

According to him, CTI Group chose not to resolve the debt issue through civil court proceedings because the process is considered lengthy and often ends without certainty. Meanwhile, winning in court does not guarantee that the debt will be repaid.

Murdoch University researcher Ian Douglas Wilson stated that the practice of thuggery and pressure-based collection stems from supply-and-demand relationships. When formal systems are perceived as failing, economic and political actors seek their own ways to resolve conflicts, even within legal gray areas.

When citizens consciously choose debt collectors over the courts, it signifies the failure of the state to provide a trusted and effective dispute resolution mechanism.