<![CDATA[Online fraud perpetrated through social media has become one of the most detrimental forms of cybercrime in Indonesia, driven by the rapid growth of digital transactions on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This article examines law enforcement efforts against such crimes through a case study of the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of the North Sumatra Regional Police. The study employs a socio-legal (juridical-empirical) approach by analyzing statutory regulations, official data, and verified reports from 2022 to 2026. It focuses on the legal framework governing online fraud, the implementation of law enforcement by the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation, and the challenges affecting its effectiveness. The findings indicate that law enforcement relies on the cumulative application of the Indonesian Criminal Code and the Law on Electronic Information and Transactions. However, enforcement remains predominantly reactive and is constrained by limited digital forensic capacity, delays in victim reporting, and the cross-jurisdictional nature of offenders. The article concludes that regional law enforcement capacity has not kept pace with the escalating losses caused by online fraud. It therefore recommends strengthening digital forensic capabilities, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and improving public digital literacy to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement against social media-based online fraud.]]>
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