Business Deception For 24-Year-Old Students In Palembang, Billions Of Rupiah Turnover Hundreds Of People Become Victims

The suspect in the alleged fraudulent investment case was examined by the South Sumatra Police Sub-Directorate III Jatanras Ditreskrimum (ANTARA)

PALEMBANG - The Ditreskrimum Police of South Sumatra (Sumsel) arrested a suspect in the alleged fraudulent investment in the processed food business in Palembang City with a total turnover of IDR 1.2 billion. Hundreds of people became victims in this deceptive business.

Head of Subdit III Jatanras Ditreskrimum Polda Sumsel Kompol Agus Prihadinika said the suspect was a student with the initials RGM (24) a resident of Jalan KH Azhari, 7 Ulu Village, Seberang Ulu 1 Subdistrict, Palembang.

"RGM was arrested by the Unit 4 Subdit III Jatanras team on Monday in Palembang, who had been hiding for some time on the island of Java," Agus said in Palembang, Antara, Wednesday, May 18.

In this case the suspect was arrested by the police after a member of his business partner with the initials DL (25), a resident of Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, reported that he had been a victim of fraud to the South Sumatra Police in March 2022. To the police, the victim admitted that he had suffered material losses of Rp. 512 million.

The money is known to be the total investment given by the victim to RGM, for the pempek dos chili food business, seafood processing and galleries that have been running since March 2020.

The victim was promised to receive a profit of 20 percent or around Rp. 102.4 million of the total investment value, which the suspect would disburse in a certain disbursement period according to their agreement.

"On his way, the suspect had fulfilled the promise of the profit share to his members, but, since November 2021 it stopped, the victim asked for the money to be returned but was not heeded on the grounds that the turnover had decreased," explained Agus,​​.

Currently, the suspect has been arrested at the South Sumatra Police Headquarters to undergo a further examination process, so it is possible that there will be other victims.

From the suspect's hands, the police secured evidence in the form of a bundle of checking accounts, an Iphone 8 device, two screenshots of social media advertisements, an ATM and a BCA savings book.

The suspect is suspected of violating Article 378 of the Criminal Code and or 372 of the Criminal Code regarding criminal acts of fraud or embezzlement with a penalty of four years in prison.