Jombang Police Arrest Counterfeit Money Dealers Worth IDR 1 Billion

The Jombang Police, East Java, arrested a syndicate of counterfeit money dealers across provinces and confiscated evidence of counterfeit rupiah currency in the amount of more than IDR 1 billion.

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Jombang Police, AKP Sukaca, revealed that the case began with a report by a beef seller selling in a market in the Diwek District, Jombang Regency. There are buyers who buy meat with a large nominal value of up to IDR 5.5 million from the buyer with the initials IR.

"As soon as the witness received it, it was discovered that the counterfeit money was deposited in Rp1.8 million. Knowing the counterfeit money, the witness reported it to the police and we conducted an investigation," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 22.

From the results of the investigation, officers arrested IR. From IR's hands, the police confiscated a number of evidences such as cell phones, counterfeit money with Rupiah currency of up to Rp. 16.5 million.

The police also continue to develop the case. To the police, IR admitted that there were two themes, namely SK and S. Both were then provoked and arrested in Mojoagung Square, Jombang Regency. Officers then conducted a search at S's house and found counterfeit money of Rp33.7 million.

From the results of the interrogation that had been carried out, the three perpetrators received counterfeit money from B in Central Java. The Jombang Police then coordinated with the local police and managed to arrest B.

"We managed to secure B and conducted a search and found counterfeit money of Rp1,140,000,000," he said.

Meanwhile, from the confession of the three arrested suspects, they received counterfeit money from B amounting to Rp70 million and circulated Rp50.2 million. For the rest, until now it is still circulating in the community.

"The remaining Rp19.8 million is circulating in the community. We urge if there is counterfeit money, the remaining three suspects will be reported immediately. If there is a sale and purchase transaction, it can be developed further," he said.

In that case, the police arrested four people who were syndicates with evidence of counterfeit money of more than Rp. 1 billion. In addition, there are also two cell phones, black bags.

The perpetrators were charged with Article 36 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison with a fine of IDR 50 billion.