Police Arrest Sharia Bank Employees For Gold Auction Fraud

TULUNGAGUNG - Tulungagung Police, East Java, arrested and detained an employee of Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) for allegedly committing a series of frauds with fraudulent investment modes for bank collateral gold auctions, thus harming the victims to billions of rupiah.

"So far, only one person (victim) has reported. But we believe there are many victims and are scattered in several surrounding cities," said Tulungagung Police Chief AKBP Teuku Arsya Gaddafi, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 15.

The suspect, a sharia bank employee who was arrested, was identified with the initials DR (34), a resident of Pakunden Village, Sukorejo District, Blitar Regency. DR is listed as an employee of BSI Blitar branch.

The police sniffed DR's fraud after receiving a complaint from one of the victims with the initials DCF (22). To the police, the victim admitted that he was being used to invest in the gold auction.

The victim and the suspect already know each other, because the victim is a customer at the suspect's workplace.

Perceived by the suspect's persuasion, the victim then transferred Rp257 million to the perpetrator's account. Then the victim returned the transfer of Rp97 million, bringing the total to Rp350 million.

"The suspect promises a profit of 15-20 percent per month with a profit-sharing system," he said.

The profit of 15-20 percent is divided between the victim and the suspect. However, the victim never received the promised profit.

When asked to return the money, the perpetrators only made empty promises.

From the search, the police secured a number of pieces of evidence, such as evidence of cash deposits from BCA accounts in the name of DCF (victims) to BCA accounts in the name of DR (perpetrators). Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) bank statement transactions in the name of DCF (victims).

Screenshot of proof of money transfer via mobile banking from BSI account in the name of DCF (victim) to BSI account in the name of DR (perpetrator), and screenshot of WhatsApp conversations between the victim and the perpetrator.

As a result of his actions, the perpetrator was charged with Article 372 and/or 378 of the Criminal Code regarding fraud and/or embezzlement with a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

"The Tulungagung Police urges the public to be more alert to similar fraud modes," concluded the Police Chief.