From the Printing Press to People's Pockets: Police Raid Counterfeit Money Makers in Garut

Police display evidence in a case of counterfeit money production and distribution at the Garut Police Headquarters, West Java, Tuesday (September 23, 2025). ANTARA/Feri Purnama.

GARUT - The Garut Police have uncovered a counterfeit money manufacturing facility in the Rabani Housing Complex, Karangpawitan District, Garut Regency, West Java.

"Information from the public indicates that there is suspected production, distribution, and counterfeiting of rupiah currency, which is known to be taking place at the Rabbany Regency Housing Complex," said Garut Police Chief, AKBP Yugi Bayu Hendarto, during a press conference in Garut, Antara News Agency reported on Tuesday, September 23.

He said three people were named suspects in the case: A (47), a resident of South Sulawesi; RP (26), a resident of Serang Regency; and DS (27), a resident of Padaherang District, Pangandaran Regency.

According to Yugi, the counterfeit rupiah banknote manufacturing and distribution syndicate had been operating for approximately one month, with a production volume reaching thousands of notes.

"From the suspects, we confiscated 1,223 counterfeit IDR 100,000 notes ready for distribution," he said.

In addition to the ready-to-circulate counterfeit money, police also found 80 counterfeit IDR 100,000 bills that had not yet been affixed with serial numbers and ribbons, 428 bills that had not yet undergone the final printing process, and 986 other bills in the form of four-bill bills.

At the raid location, police also secured evidence in the form of a printing machine, laptop, screen printing equipment, UV ink, and various other tools and raw materials used to produce counterfeit money.

The Head of the Garut Police Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP Joko Prihatin, stated that this disclosure stemmed from a public report, which was immediately followed up with a raid.

"The main suspect, A, is a repeat offender who has committed similar crimes in Central Java. Two other individuals assisted in the counterfeit money production operation," he said.

The suspects' modus operandi was to produce counterfeit money and then sell it to dealers for distribution to the public.

As a result of their actions, the three suspects were detained for further legal proceedings and charged under Article 36 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency and Articles 244 and 245 of the Criminal Code with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.