Counterfeit Money Dealers And Users In South Lampung Arrested, Targeted Elderly Warung Guard

LAMPUNG SELATAN - Police arrested a married couple named Ari Setiawan (37) and his wife, Dewi Sunita (36) who were caught carrying and distributing counterfeit rupiah in Candipuro, South Lampung.

"The arrests were made on Monday, January 20, 2025, in two different locations, namely Cinta Mulya Village and Mekar Mulya Village, Candipuro District," said South Lampung Police Chief AKBP Yusriandi Yusrin, in Kalianda, Lampung, Thursday, January 23, confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the disclosure of this case stems from public reports about the use of counterfeit money in small stalls in Cintamulya Village, South Lampung.

"The modus operandi of the perpetrators is to spend counterfeit money in small stalls which are generally guarded by elderly housewives (elderly). The suspect was arrested while buying basic necessities using counterfeit bills of fifty thousand," he said.

He explained that after a search was carried out on the alleged perpetrator, 11 counterfeit notes of Rp50,000 were found with a total of Rp550,000 in the suspect's trouser pocket.

After making the arrest, the team developed the case and it was revealed from the results of the interrogation that the wife ordered counterfeit money through the Telegram application.

"His wife admitted to buying counterfeit money worth Rp. 1 million at a price of Rp. 350,000 using digital payment methods," he said.

After deep development, the police also found counterfeit money worth IDR 4,200,000 buried behind their homes. The counterfeit money is circulated to meet the economic needs of the family by targeting small stalls in rural areas to minimize suspicion.

Upon the arrest, his party managed to secure evidence of 63 counterfeit rupiah notes worth Rp4,750,000, with details of Rp100,000 in nominal denominations of 32 pieces and 31 pieces of Rp50,000 in nominal denominations. The police also secured Rp485,000 in cash obtained by the suspect from the return of counterfeit rupiah money that had been spent.

The two perpetrators were charged with Article 36 Paragraph 3 of Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

The police chief, stated that his party would continue to monitor and take firm action against the perpetrators of the circulation of counterfeit money. The police chief appealed to the public, especially traders, to be more careful and to be more careful in transacting using cash.

"If there are indeed or residents find the perpetrators who always buy using counterfeit money, please immediately contact the local police so that they can be followed up immediately, because this is very detrimental to all of us," he said.