Participants Of Quoted Auction To Purchase Excise Laptops And Diperas Men Claiming To Be Customs And Excise

Evidence of the conversation between the perpetrator and the victim who asked for money to penetrate the goods/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - A number of fraudulent acts with various modes on behalf of Customs and Excise continue to be used by criminals in various regions. The victims of fraud complained about the case that happened to him at the Customs Center office in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, Thursday, December 22.

AN, one of the victims of fraud, said that he became a victim of fraud in 2021. At that time, he participated in a laptop type auction because he was interested in the cheap price of around Rp. 1 million. Because the victim needed the laptop, he also bid for an auction at a price of Rp. 1.5 million.

"I chatted over the price of Rp1.5 million and I was elected. That night I was in DM (send a message) via Instagram, I transferred Rp1.5 million and was told to wait for goods. After 1 week I was called by an unknown number," said one of the victims at the Customs Headquarters.

The victim then picked up the call from the unknown number. However, the victim was trapped by the perpetrator of the fraud.

"I was forced to raise my fear that it was important, while on the way, the person admitted to being from the Customs and Excise at Soetta Airport. He said the goods I bought were illegal and there were no documents so they were confiscated. There was also a threat that this man (I) bought illegal goods, the goods were confiscated," he said.

Furthermore, continued the victim, the perpetrator said that if the victim did not take care, the perpetrator would go to the victim's address with law enforcement officials.

"I was scared. Finally, the telephone fraudster again gave a letter with a Customs and Excise blank at a cost that had to be paid. First they asked for Rp. 3.5 million," he said.

AN couldn't believe it, he tried to contact the seller of the used laptop. According to AN, the item was sent from the island of Sumatra. However, the seller, said AN, ordered to pay Rp. 3.5 million to the perpetrator.

"Finally I transferred what the fraudster asked for. After I transferred (to the perpetrator), (the perpetrator) asked for another Rp7 million. Finally I asked a friend at the Ministry of Finance, finally said that it was a fraud fix," said AN.

Head of Sub-Directorate for Public Relations and Counseling DJBC Hatta Wardhana confirmed the number of fraudulent modes on behalf of Customs and Excise.

"The modes of fraud vary, there is a diplomatic mode, romance, money laundry, online shops, auctions and others," said Hatta Wardhana to reporters, Thursday, December 22.

Based on reports received by Customs and Excise, during 2022, the number of complaints in cases of fraud on behalf of customs reached 618 cases received. A total of 426 cases of complaint in the category of material fraud, while 192 complaints in cases of non-material fraud category.

"Of the 426 complaints of cases of fraud in the category of material fraud received, the loss is estimated at more than Rp. 967 million," he said.