The rapid growth of the coffee shop business in Kendari City has now come under strict regulatory oversight. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) of Southeast Sulawesi, in collaboration with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), is currently investigating indications of the abuse of this food and beverage (F&B) sector as a vehicle for money laundering.
The Head of Southeast Sulawesi OJK, Bismi Maulana Nugraha, explained that this supervision is based on transaction data findings showing anomalies in several business entities. Initial steps are focused on validating business legality, tracing the source of capital, and identifying the true beneficial owner.
To strengthen the verification process, OJK is also partnering with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to cross-match suspicious corporate data. Bismi emphasized that several coffee shops in the capital of Southeast Sulawesi are now on the list for deeper examination and investigation.
According to Bismi, the investigation efforts are focused on revealing the behind-the-scenes figures controlling the businesses. Bank data audits are being conducted because the administratively registered owners' names often differ from the actual fund controllers. Once the identity of the beneficial owner is uncovered, OJK will apply Know Your Customer (KYC) principles and the "follow the money" method to trace the flow of funds.
Despite detecting vulnerabilities to money laundering in this culinary business, OJK urges the public not to jump to negative assumptions. This process is still in the stage of evidence gathering and financial administration clarification, so the presumption of innocence is still maintained.
The cooperation between OJK and PPATK is expected to narrow the room for financial criminals who often exploit real sectors like coffee shops to conduct layering and integrate criminal proceeds into the legal financial system.
