Cirebon Police Arrest 2 Counterfeit Money Dealers At Gempol Gas Station

The sheet of counterfeit money presented as evidence at a press conference at the Cirebon Police Headquarters, West Java, Thursday (26/9/2024). (ANTARA/Fathnur Rohman)

The Cirebon City Police (Polresta) arrested two suspected counterfeit money dealers after making a transaction at the Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBU) in Gempol District, Cirebon Regency, West Java.

"The two suspects with the initials AT and SA were arrested after trying to buy fuel oil (BBM) using three counterfeit notes of Rp100 thousand," said Cirebon Police Chief Kombes Sumarni as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 26.

He explained that this case began with the suspicion of gas station employees about the authenticity of the money used by the two suspects to pay for fuel.

After realizing this irregularity, the gas station employee immediately reported the incident to the nearest Polsek to pursue the perpetrators. It didn't take long for the two suspects to be arrested.

"The gas station employee suspects the money given by the perpetrators because there are irregularities in the form and texture of the money," he said.

During a search of the suspect's vehicle, the police found more counterfeit bills.

According to the Police Chief, the total counterfeit money that was secured from the two perpetrators reached 999 pieces with a denomination of Rp. 100,000.

The two suspects initially intended to use the counterfeit money, for personal purposes and to pay off debts.

"The suspects AT and SA admitted that they bought counterfeit money worth Rp. 25 million from a friend who was in Jakarta," he said.

In addition to counterfeit money, the police secured a car and a savings account book to be used as evidence.

Police are still continuing to develop an investigation into this case, in order to uncover a larger network of counterfeit money dealers.

"We are investigating further to dismantle the network behind the printing and circulation of this counterfeit money," he said.

The suspect charged with Article 36 paragraphs (2) and (3) of Law Number 07/2011 in conjunction with Article 245 of the Criminal Code with a maximum threat of 15 years in prison.