Sumatran Masks Fraudsters Manipulate Two Hong Kong Residents

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Bareskrim Polri has uncovered a cross-country syndicate of masks selling fraud. This group of con artists from Indonesia succeeded in deceiving Hong Kong citizens.

Karo Penmas, Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Awi Setiyono, said that the fraud syndicate had three members. They, YF, MF, and MG, who are Indonesian citizens.

The disclosure of this case began when the National Police's International Relations Division received a report related to a criminal act of fraud, on 20 February. From that report, the police took action.

"It begins with a written report by the ASEANAPOL Secretariat to the Indonesian Police Hubinter Division via a letter dated February 20, 2020, with the victims of fraud from Hong Kong citizens who have become victims of international online fraud," Awi said in Jakarta, Monday, June 8.

Approximately three months of ongoing investigation to be precise starting in early May, finally the whereabouts of the perpetrators were finally discovered. They are in the Kisaran area, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra. After learning about the perpetrator's whereabouts, the police moved and made an arrest.

After being arrested, continued Awi, the three suspects were immediately questioned. The three of them have different roles.

The YF suspect played the role of the person who uploaded the Sensi brand mask at a low price. Then, the MF suspect was the person who collected the money from the fraud. Meanwhile, MG played a role in withdrawing money from the bank to be distributed to other suspects.

"The suspect YF uploaded pictures, videos and writings selling Sensi masks at a low price, namely 1 box for Rp. 70 thousand and for 1 box for Rp. 1.7 million. The cheap offer made the victims tempted to buy and transfer money to the bank account. determined, "said Awi.

Two Hong Kong residents were victims

Based on reports and examination results, said Awi, this fraud syndicate had repeatedly taken action. They succeeded in deceiving 9 victims, two of whom were citizens of Hong Kong.

Every time they act successfully, this syndicate immediately eliminates traces by changing the telephone number used when communicating and changing the name of the Instagram account used to cheat.

"The perpetrator has committed fraud against 9 victims, 2 victims are foreign citizens and live abroad, and 7 other people are Indonesian citizens in various regions in Indonesia," said Awi.

A number of evidences were confiscated from the arrest of the suspects. Some of them are cellphones used to cheat via social media with literacy accounts or followajagakpapa.

"The evidence confiscated from the three suspects are 7 cellphones, 5 ATM cards, 1 savings book, 9 SIM cards, 2 watches and 2 clothes," Awi concluded.

For the actions, the suspects were charged with cases of fraud in electronic transactions and money laundering and / or funds transfer crimes as referred to in Article 45A paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph (1) of Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning amendments. on Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions.

Then, Article 3, Article 4, and Article 5 of Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering and / or Article 82 and / or Article 85 of Law Number 3 of 2011 concerning Fund Transfers and / or 378 KUHP. Thus, with the multi-layered Article being suspected, they are threatened with a sentence of 6 years to 20 years in prison.