Held A Ritual In The South Jakarta Apartment, Dukun Pengganda Uang Arrested

Photo Illustration: Antara

The South Jakarta Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) arrested two men with the initials H alias Romo (45) and WH (47) related to a fraud case with the modus operandi of a money multiplier shaman.

Head of Resmob Satreskrim South Jakarta Metro Police, AKP Bima Sakti, said the two perpetrators promised big profits to the victims until finally many were tempted.

"The two perpetrators were arrested from different places," said Bima, Monday, September 15.

The arrests were made after the police received reports from the public claiming to be victims of the practice of multiplying money with a dowry of between Rp. 3 million and Rp. 20 million.

"The victim was asked to pay the dowry to take part in the ritual. After that they were promised a suitcase containing money that would appear within 23 days. However, when it opened, the suitcase contained only pillows and bed sheets," he explained.

Bima said the perpetrators' actions were carried out in an apartment in the Kalibata area, South Jakarta, and in Karawang, West Java. H alias Romo was arrested at the Kalibata apartment on Wednesday, September 10, at night at around 20.40 WIB, while WH was arrested the day after that in Karawang.

From the scene of the incident, the police confiscated evidence in the form of decorations, rice, and other ritual equipment used to convince the victim. In addition, counterfeit bills of Rp100 thousand and US$100 were also found.

The perpetrator tried to throw the counterfeit money into his pocket, but the officers managed to secure it. From the investigation, the money was supplied by the suspect WH," said Bima.

He added that WH made a profit of around Rp. 200 thousand from the transaction, although previously promised a reward of up to Rp. 5 million.

Currently, the police are still investigating the possibility of other perpetrators. Meanwhile, H and WH have been named suspects.

Both were charged with Article 36 in conjunction with Article 26 of Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency and Article 378 of the Criminal Code on Fraud, with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.