Foreign Currency Counterfeit Syndicate In Bogor Revealed, Police Find Thousands Of Counterfeit Dollars And Rupiah

Banten Police Cilegon Police Chief AKBP Eko Tjahyo Untoro/ Photo: Doc. Banten Police

CILEGON - Satreskrim Polres Cilegon Polda Banten dismantled a house that was used as a place for making counterfeit money (Upal) in the Leuwiliang area, Bogor Regency, West Java. The disclosure of this case began with the arrest of a person with the initials MI (35) when he was about to cross to Lampung, from Merak, Banten.

The Head of the Cilegon Police of the Banten Police, AKBP Eko Tjahyo Untoro, explained that on January 22, officers saw suspicious movements from a person, namely MI, at Pier 3, Merak Harbor, Cilegon City.

"After an examination, officers found the suspect MI carrying 6,600 pieces of counterfeit currency resembling rupiah with a total of Rp. 66 million. After the development was carried out, the police then arrested another suspect named HI (42) on January 25, 2023. In total, two counterfeit money counterfeiters were arrested, while another suspect, TJ (43) was on the People's Wanted List (DPO), managed to escape from the police's pursuit," explained AKBP Eko., in a written statement, Tuesday, February 28.

In the same place, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Cilegon Police, AKP Muhamad Nandar, said the suspects made counterfeit bills with various rupiah denominations and even foreign currencies.

There is Dollar, and Euro. There are 6,800 pieces resembling counterfeit rupiah in 10 thousand denominations. Then, 112 ikats or 11,200 sheets resemble an American dollar foreign currency. 30 ikats or 3,000 pieces resemble the Euro foreign currency, 6 ikats or 600 sheets resembling a Brazilian dollar foreign currency, 300 sheets resembling a nominal counterfeit rupiah of 100,000, 60 sheets resembling a nominal rupiah of 10,000, 1000 sheets resembling a foreign currency of Euro International, and 300 pieces resembling a foreign currency of Zimbabwe Dollar. Share Kasatreskrim.

After being calculated and separated, the counterfeit Indonesian currency was printed by the perpetrators for Rp. 67 million.

"Total untuk yang termasuk mata uang Indonesia itu Rp67 juta, kalau mata uang dari negara lain atau mata uang asing kita akan melibatkan tim ahli dari Bank Indonesia," kata Nandar.

It was explained that the suspects would distribute counterfeit money in the Sumatra Island area. In plain view, continued Nandar, the counterfeit money produced by the perpetrators can be distinguished from its size or rough material.

The perpetrators have not had time to distribute this money because they have been arrested in advance when they will spread this crime.

"This looks very clear counterfeit money, it can be seen from the size and material that is rough or not smooth like the original money," he explained.

In addition to evidence in the form of counterfeit money, the police also confiscated two units of modified printers. One unit of laptop, a set of color ink, one unit of cash checking infrastructure, one unit of iron, one unit of barbershop equipment, two boxes of paper material, one rim of printed paper resembling a Brazilian dollar foreign currency, 38 pieces of money braid paper, and one flash drive.

The two MI (35) and HI (42) suspects were sentenced to 15 years in prison for violating Article 36 of Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency. It will also continue to hunt down other suspects who fled.

"The suspect is subject to Article 36 of Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency with a threat of 15 years in prison," concluded Nandar.