JAKARTA - Police have revealed that the number of victims of alleged fraud carried out by wedding organizers (wedding organizer/WO) in East Jakarta reached 58 pairs of prospective brides. The total losses that have been reported so far are estimated to have exceeded Rp. 2.6 billion.
"Based on the provisional data from the data collection and reports received, a total of 58 prospective brides were allegedly victims of marriage organizers in Jaktim," said East Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Pol Alfian Nurrizal when confirmed in Jakarta, Sunday.
Of these, two couples are known to have continued their marriages. However, the services received were not in accordance with the agreement previously promised by the event organizers.
Meanwhile, as many as 56 other couples have not been able to hold weddings as planned.
"Until now, out of the 24 victims who have been recorded, the total reported losses have reached around Rp. 2,658,885,000. This amount is still potentially increasing as the data collection and examination of other victims is still ongoing," explained Alfian.
This case was handled by the East Jakarta Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit after a number of prospective brides reported the alleged fraud they had experienced. The victims admitted that they had made payments for various wedding service packages, but the promised facilities and services had not been provided.
Based on the results of the preliminary investigation, the police suspect that WO Marwah has received funds from clients, but has not carried out the obligations as stated in the cooperation contract. A number of victims even admitted that they had difficulty contacting the organizer when the wedding day was approaching.
As the investigation progresses and more reports are received, the police have named the couple, the owners of WO Marwah, RM and ER, as suspects. Both have been detained since Saturday (30/5) to undergo legal proceedings.
Alfian said that the value of the losses, which currently reached more than IDR 2.65 billion, was only calculated based on 24 victims who had been officially recorded. This figure is still potentially increasing because investigators are still examining dozens of other victims.
"Satreskrim of the East Jakarta Metro Police continues to conduct an in-depth investigation to fully uncover the modus operandi used and ensure that the legal process runs in accordance with applicable regulations," said Alfian.
In addition to investigating the amount of losses, investigators also traced the flow and use of funds that had been paid by the victims. The police do not rule out the possibility that the number of victims will increase as the data collection process is still ongoing.
For this case, RM and ER were charged with Article 492 of the Criminal Code regarding fraudulent acts and Article 486 of the Criminal Code regarding embezzlement.
The police also appealed to the public who felt that they were victims of WO Marwah to immediately report. Reports from victims are considered important to help investigators uncover the case in its entirety while ensuring that all parties who are harmed can be recorded.
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