Bot Networks

Social media platforms are facing a more aggressive and more organized wave of online gambling promotion, as Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Komdigi, records a sharp rise in spam comments pushing gambling links across multiple accounts and platforms.In the past two weeks, the number of detected spam comments climbed about 128 percent compared with the average findings from January to June 2026. The scale of the increase suggests a coordinated operation rather than random spam activity.Bot networks are targeting high-traffic postsDirector General of Digital Space Supervision Alexander Sabar said the pattern points to transnational activity that uses bots to watch social media in real time. When a post from a high-reach account starts attracting strong engagement, the system automatically floods the comment section with gambling promotions or directs users to online gambling sites.The comments are often posted through fake accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. They repeat similar wording and hashtags while varying key terms to avoid automated moderation systems on the platforms.Komdigi also noted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began on June 11, gave operators a timely opening to intensify sports betting promotions. The event appears to have been used to expand the reach of gambling messages on social media.Affiliate networks help spread the campaignsNetwork analysis showed that the spam operation is linked to several online gambling platforms through affiliate systems. One of the markers identified in the comment patterns was the use of the hashtag rawitbet.Alexander said the activity is transnational and coordinated, with account networks believed to be based in India and Brazil distributing thousands of promotional comments in a short period. The targets are mainly public-facing social media accounts with large audiences.Observed PatternWhat Komdigi FoundIncrease in spam commentsAbout 128 percent in the last two weeks versus the January to June 2026 averagePrimary channelsInstagram, Facebook, and TikTokNoted hashtag markerrawitbetSuspected account basesIndia and BrazilPlatform coordination and public vigilanceKomdigi is continuing to coordinate with digital platform operators to contain the spread of promotional content that exploits automated system weaknesses. The goal is to interrupt comment spam before it can move from one account to another at scale.Alexander stressed that protecting the national digital space cannot be left to the government alone. He urged users to report suspicious content and avoid sharing it further.According to him, public vigilance is now a key part of slowing the spread of gambling promotions that have become more structured and harder to detect. Without user reports, the spam can keep circulating quickly through popular accounts and widen its reach in a very short time.Why popular accounts matterKomdigi sees high-reach accounts as the main target because active comment threads make promotional spam easier to slip into ordinary conversation. Once a post becomes busy, bot networks can move in and stack replies containing invites or links to gambling sites.This approach makes the promotion look like regular social media chatter. In reality, Komdigi says the pattern is repetitive, systematic, and designed to stay ahead of automated detection. Source: www.idntimes.com

Bot-Driven Gambling Comments Surge 128 Percent, Social Media Moderation Faces New Pressure