South Sulawesi Police Arrest Fugitive Land Mafia In Jakarta

MAKASSAR - The South Sulawesi Police Resmob Team (Sulsel) arrested a fugitive land mafia named Richard Andry Harrison (39), allegedly falsifying land documents by pointing to state asset land in his Jalan Sultan Hasanuddin Makassar area and then selling it to victim H Sukardi.

"The perpetrator was arrested at one of the homestays on Jalan Cempaka Putih Timur VIII, Central Jakarta, after receiving information on his whereabouts," said the Head of the Resmob Unit of the South Sulawesi Police, Kompol Dharma Negara, in Makassar, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 5.

This case began when victim H Sukardi was offered to buy land by the perpetrators on July 27, 2016.

The victim was shown the Sale and Purchase Deed (AJB) Number 147/AJB/1998 to convince the victim it was as if it belonged to him, and it looked like the original but was fake.

The victim also bought at that time. The land area is 716 square meters at a price of Rp. 15 billion. The victim then paid an advance of IDR 3.8 billion as a sign of completion after being urged by the perpetrator.

However, after checking, the location of the land located on Jalan Sultan Hasanuddin Number 7 Makassar City is known to be registered as state property assets, the former office of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) is now managed by the Ministry of Finance.

Likewise, the AJB letter was declared fake by BPN.

"The perpetrator admitted all his actions by falsifying AJB to the victim and asking for a down payment for the purchase of land worth Rp. 3.8 billion, which ultimately harmed the victim," said Kompol Dharma.

The police are still developing a network of perpetrators related to the alleged falsification of land documents and other motives. Considering this case is part of the work of the land mafia looking for unoccupied land to reap profits, but harming other people.

Previously, the arrest operation was carried out after the resmob team coordinated with the Investigation Team for Sub-Directorate 2 of the South Sulawesi Police, assisted by the DF Cyber Bareskrim Team of the National Police to sniff out his whereabouts.

After being arrested, the perpetrator was flown to Makassar to undergo a further examination process at the South Sulawesi Police Headquarters.

The arrest of the perpetrator on the Police Report Number: LP/B/235 /VIII/2020/SPKT/Polda Sulsel on August 11, 2020 by the victim.

During the investigation process, the perpetrator did not cooperate when called by the police, but instead fled.

Until a letter regarding the wanted list (DPO) was issued Number: 09/III/RES.1.11/2022/Ditreskrimum dated March 17, 2022. Then an arrest warrant was issued Number: Sp.Kap/66/VII/Res 1.11/2022/ Ditreskrimum dated July 29, 2022.

The perpetrator is subject to a criminal act, namely fraud and or embezzlement as referred to in Article 378 and or 372 of the Criminal Code with a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

Based on police records, Richard is a recidivist forgering land documents, and was even detained at the Makassar Detention Center in the same case and sentenced to 3 years and six months in prison.