Lots Of Shariah House Scams, But We Learn How To Avoid Them

The government has succeeded in exceeding the target of building one million houses. However, that was not enough. We have discussed a number of steps to improve the provision of low-cost housing in "One Problem with the Disruption of a Million Houses". This time we discuss the sharia home purchase scheme which is widely used as a mode of fraud. Part of the typical VOI Writing Series, "When Was the Board Established?".

Dwi Arianto's dream to own a house ran aground. The money he collected was sold out to the wind. Not because of government programs or other things caused by incompetence of state administrators. This 33-year-old man was deceived by the criminal practice of sharia bogus housing.

In the case disclosed in 2019, PT Wepro Citra Sentosa, as a housing developer based in the Bintaro area, Tangerang, South, was known to have deceived at least 3,680 people scattered in various other areas. Uploading Facebook ads is the trawl used by the perpetrators to ensnare humpback shrimp like Dwi Arianto and thousands of other victims.

"At first I saw Facebook around 2017, and there was a housing promo offered by the developer, including a contact number that could be contacted," said Dwi Arianto, written by CNN Indonesia, Friday, December 20, 2019.

The low price is far below the market, making Dwi interested. He also went to the PT Wepro Citra Sentosa office after calling the phone number listed in the advertisement. There, Dwi met a housing manager marketing staff. He was promised a house of type 22/36 in Amanah City Housing which is said to be built in the Lebak area, Banten.

"He explained, (the process of buying a house) is free of usury, without BI checking. Just come with the ID card, family card, and booking fee. Later they will immediately be placed in the desired cluster," said Dwi narrating the explanation from PT Wepro Citra Sentosa that he met.

Dwi, who daily makes money as an online motorcycle taxi driver, has started the installments. In total, the house installments until the eighth month are always fulfilled. He did not elaborate on more. What is clear, in total, Dwi's money that ran aground reached Rp32 million. The legal process is ongoing.

The police have arrested M Ariyanto, President Commissioner of PT Wepro Citra Sentosa and his wife Sofiatun. In addition, the Managing Director of PT Wepro Citra Sentosa Iswanto was also brought under attack. In this case, the Director of PT Global Muslim Property alias Madinah Property Indonesia Cepi Burhanudin was also dragged away. From this syndicate the police estimated a loss of up to Rp40 billion.

Wahyu experienced another fraud in mid-2017. At that time, in the city - which Wahyu was reluctant to mention - where he lived in the Central Java region, housing developments in suburban areas were being intensified. "I took it in one of the housing estates near the airport. The housing position is still in the form of a foundation but there is already a show unit," Wahyu said in a short message, Friday, January 31.

As a prospective buyer, Wahyu has visited the housing location twice to consult and choose the location to take. The third time he visited the location, he finally decided to buy a house and carry out a loan agreement. After paying the down payment, Wahyu began to make payments.

"At the time of the (credit) contract, there was a group of one car containing three people who said they (the developer) were the bank. After explaining several articles, then signing several documents, I submitted the down payment, and I received a letter and receipt proof that I had made the payment. bearing the logo of one of the Islamic banks, "he said.

However, in the third month, Wahyu heard the news that the show unit in the housing estate was being demolished. The developers ran away leaving all the problems, from distributors of building materials, workers, to consumers, of course. This case was reported to the police.

This deception was a blow to Wahyu. He didn't believe it, housing that looked convincing was in fact only a fraud mode. His Rp19.8 million in cash ran aground. "I did not suspect it because (when I was there) many masons worked on site. So I thought it was safe, like a proper developer," he said.

Islamic house

The two cases above illustrate the vulnerability in the process of buying a house with a sharia scheme. The vulnerability that Junaidi Abdillah agrees with, the General Chair of the Association of Indonesian Housing and Settlement Developers (APERSI). According to Junaidi, sharia frills are often used by criminals to attract the interest of Indonesian people who are dominated by Muslim citizens.

"Actually, this is the mode. Indeed, the mode. So it is indeed collecting public funds at a low price, then in the name of sharia," said Junaidi to VOI some time ago.

Even so, that doesn't mean every sharia scheme is bogus. Buying a sharia home usually takes advantage of the Home Ownership Credit (KPR) line provided by Islamic banks on the principle of buying and selling (murabahah). In practice, it is as if a sharia bank buys the house the consumer wants and sells it to the consumer in installments. In addition, another feature of the sharia scheme is the elimination of interest in transactions.

Simulation: Pak Amir submits a plan to purchase a house for Rp. 500 million to Bank Baik. Later, Bank Baik will buy the house, provided that Bank Baik has the right to take a profit - the amount depends on the margin - of Rp. 100 million. This means that Pak Amir must pay home payments to Bank Baik with a total tenor of Rp. 600 million. An important note in the Islamic KPR scheme, the agreement between the bank and the home buyer is done in advance.

So, the Islamic scheme can actually be an alternative for home buyers. With notes, every buyer must pay close attention to how the transaction scheme works. "Well, this sharia is for Muslims. Anyone is more interested, right. Well, this must be thoroughly examined. What kind of sharia is ... Yes, but like this, on average, if in a developing case, that is the mode. it's not wrong, but the fraud mode is on behalf of sharia, "said Junaidi.

Identification of bulging housing

According to Junaidi, there are easy ways that can be done to identify which developers are fake and original, namely by ensuring that the developer can show legality at least in the form of a Decree (SK) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkum HAM) and a Trade Business License (SIUP). This method can be used as an initial identification step.

Then, to ensure the progress of the project or not, Junaidi suggested that every buyer check the Building Construction Permit (IMB) and several other technical permits. "If the developer is fake, not all done, so nothing," said Junaidi.

"So, they are not developers, but they are con artists," said Junaidi, adding that the original developers would of course be registered with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR).

Finally, to check whether a developer is genuine or not, said Junaidi, this can be done by checking the Cooperation Agreement with Banks (PKS). "So, every time you want to buy a house, the question is about the legality. Then, which bank is the PKS with. Because if you have entered the PKS there must be detailed data, so that's what you ask," he said.

Finally, Junaidi also reminded people not to be easily tempted by cheap prices that are far below standard. Extremely low prices are a major indication of fraud. "For example, the price of a house is Rp. 300 million, he sells Rp. 150 million. Yes, it seems impossible," said Junaidi.

"Or a subsidized house, which costs Rp160 million now, is sold for Rp.100 million. That is impossible. All developers have calculations, both in terms of land purchases. It seems that if it is so cheap it could be a question, why can it be that cheap."

Next Article: "Questioning the Stigma 'We Are Where Our Homes Stand'