The Emergence Of 'Dark Travel' Offers To Introduce Travelers To Social Media

JAKARTA - The regulation on the prohibition of going home during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the emergence of illegal travel that offers delivery services to hometowns without being noticed at the checkpoint point. These offers are widely circulated on various social media.

The police caught this dark mode of travel when officers on duty at the PAM Post in Kedung Waringin, Bekasi, found 10 people trying to go home using travel services, on Wednesday, April 29, evening.

Polda Metro Jaya Traffic Directorate Director Kombes Sambodo Purnomo Yogo said the mode was revealed because of the suspicion of officers at the checkpoint. This is because this travel car uses black plates to make it look like a private vehicle.

Departing from this suspicion, the car was stopped and checked. From there it is known that there were several people sitting in the passenger seat.

When asked some questions, they did not have the same goal. So, it violated the existing rules and they were all asked for further information.

"Of the 2 vehicles, a total of 8 passengers and not including the driver. The first car has 6 people and the second 4 people," said Sambodo, Friday, May 1.

From the results of the examination, said Sambodo, the passengers admitted to using travel and paying around Rp.300,000-Rp.500,000 to the travel company. In fact, they were promised that they would be able to get to their hometowns, even though there was a ban from the government.

"They were promised to cross the guard post and go home to their hometowns in Central Java," said Sambodo.

The mode of offering homecoming services by using as if a private car is widely spread in Facebook social media groups. To that end, the police also took preventive steps.

Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus said the team from the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) began tracing accounts offering homecoming services. In addition, cyber patrols will also be increased to prevent re-emergence.

"We will patrol in cyberspace, cyber patrol, who knows we will find and we will act in accordance with the applicable law," said Yusri.

In this case, said Yusri, the National Police will take firm action against those who seek the benefits behind efforts to prevent the spread of COVID. In fact, if those involved are official travel agents, not only providing criminal sanctions, recommendation for business closure will also be given.

For this reason, in implementing prosecution, the National Police will continue to cooperate with the Transportation Agency (Dishub) to prevent naughty travelers from acting.

Later, for those who are proven to offer homecoming services through online media, the police will charge them with the ITE Law and the maximum penalty.

"We can use the ITE Law. Anyone who tries to play, especially by trying to offer it through social media, we will act decisively on passing these travelers," concluded Yusri.