Counterfeit Money Cases Reported Across Multiple Regions in Indonesia

April 17, 2025 | 05:11 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A cross-regional counterfeit money syndicate has come to light following an investigation by the Tanah Abang Police Sector, which uncovered a network producing fake rupiah and US dollars in multiple locations, including Bogor. The case began on April 7, when a suspicious bag was found on a Rangkasbitung-bound commuter train.

Upon inspection, officers discovered counterfeit banknotes worth Rp316 million inside the bag. A man identified as the owner was taken into custody at the scene. Subsequent investigations led police to four separate locations linked to the operation—Mangga Besar, Subang, and a rented house in Bogor used as a counterfeiting lab.

“We seized a total of 23,297 fake Rp100,000 bills,” said Tanah Abang Metro Police Chief Commissioner Haris Ahmad Basuki during a press conference on Thursday, April 10. Authorities also confiscated 15 counterfeit US$100 notes, 21 printers, a laptop, a paper cutter, screen-printing equipment, and chemicals used in the production of fake currency.

The syndicate was operating under a fraudulent “investment” scheme, in which clients paid Rp10 million in exchange for Rp300 million in counterfeit money. Eight suspects have been charged, including DNS (41), believed to be the ringleader behind the operation.

They face charges under Article 26 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 36 paragraph (3) of Law No. 7 of 2011 on Currency, and Articles 244 and 245 of the Criminal Code. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to Rp10 billion.

In addition to Bogor, counterfeit currency cases have been reported in several other regions—most notably in Makassar, where the scandal rocked the academic community of Alauddin State Islamic University (UIN) Makassar.

1. Tasikmalaya

On March 25, 2025, police in Tasikmalaya uncovered a counterfeiting attempt during a pre-dawn sting operation. Three suspects—CCN, S, and UU—were arrested in Singarani Village while attempting to circulate Rp28.7 million in fake bills.

Police seized a counterfeit detector and three mobile phones. The suspects admitted to purchasing the notes for Rp4 million from a supplier in East Jakarta, with plans to resell them at a profit.

2. Majalengka

In September 2024, the Majalengka Police dismantled a counterfeiting ring responsible for distributing fake currency worth an estimated Rp2.5 billion. Four suspects were arrested after one of them attempted to repay a debt using a mix of real and counterfeit money.

Investigators found that one of the suspects had been producing counterfeit currency since 2019 at a rented property in Sumedang. The operation included both rupiah and US dollar denominations.

3. Makassar

One of the most startling cases emerged in Makassar in late 2024. The South Sulawesi Regional Police named 17 individuals as suspects in a counterfeit money operation tied to Alauddin State Islamic University (UIN) Makassar.

Among the accused were two employees of a state-owned bank and several university staff members, including the head librarian. They were allegedly involved in buying and selling counterfeit notes outside of their official roles at the institution.

Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Ervana Trikarinaputri, Annisa Febiola, and Ananda Ridho Sulistya contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor's Choice: Police Arrest Three Counterfeit Money Distributors in Tasikmalaya

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

A Dirty Broom to Hunt Corruptors

3 jam lalu

Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry Says It Readies Temporary Shelter for Gaza Evacuees

4 jam lalu

Indonesia Opens Opportunity to Collaborate with Russia in 5G Network Development

7 jam lalu

Kadin Indonesia Unfazed by Trump's Tariffs on Halal Industry

7 jam lalu

Indonesia Encourages Russia to Invest in Indonesia's 25 Special Economic Zones

8 jam lalu

Netherlands to Assist in Preserving Cultural Heritage in Depok, Indonesia

19 jam lalu

Indonesian Govt Bans Timber Extraction in Mangrove Ecosystems

19 jam lalu

Indonesia Nears Final Stages of 2025 Hajj Preparations

20 jam lalu

IHSG, Rupiah Close Lower in Today's Trade

20 jam lalu

Why Did Xi Jinping Skip Indonesia on His Southeast Asia Visit? CSIS Explains

20 jam lalu