Indonesian Police Uncover Rp41 Billion Crypto Romance Fraud Scheme
00:00
00:00
- Central Java Police arrested 38 suspects involved in a cross-border love scam that generated Rp41.1 billion through fake cryptocurrency investment schemes.
- The syndicate used dating apps, fake identities, and staged video calls to manipulate victims, most of whom were foreign nationals, particularly from the United States.
- Authorities said the operation was highly organized and relied on emotional deception to persuade victims to transfer large sums of money over time.
Jakarta – Central Java Police have dismantled an international online fraud network operating under a “pig butchering” scheme, arresting 38 suspects in Sukoharjo and Surakarta. The suspects include 27 Indonesian nationals, four Myanmar citizens, and seven Nepalese nationals.
The arrests were made on May 20, 2026, following reports from the public about suspicious digital activities, according to Central Java Police’s Cyber Crime Directorate chief, Sr. Comr. Himawan Sutanto Saragih.
Investigators revealed that the syndicate ran its operations through a company named PT Digi Global Konsultan, based in Solo Baru, Sukoharjo. The company served as both a recruitment platform and a front for coordinating the online scam, which primarily targeted foreign nationals, especially citizens of the United States.
The group approached potential victims through dating applications such as Tinder and Boo. Once contact was established, the perpetrators built relationships using fake identities and fabricated personal profiles.
“They introduced themselves, developed emotional connections, and then continued communication through messaging platforms like WhatsApp,” Himawan said on Monday.
To strengthen credibility, the suspects maintained long-term communication with their targets. In some cases, they even used real individuals to appear in video calls, creating the illusion of authenticity.
“When victims requested video calls, actual models were presented to make the interaction appear genuine,” Himawan explained.
The syndicate specifically targeted foreign victims, leveraging Indonesian models to increase trust and engagement.
Once trust was secured, victims were persuaded to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms. The funds transferred by victims were then fully controlled by the perpetrators.
“This scheme is highly structured and exploits psychological vulnerabilities. Victims believe they are in genuine relationships, which leads them to transfer funds gradually in large amounts,” Himawan said.
Police estimates show that around 5,000 individuals were initially approached by the network. Of that number, approximately 150 victims proceeded to invest money after being convinced by the perpetrators.
Preliminary findings indicate that between July 2025 and May 2026, the syndicate generated around 2.3 million US dollars, equivalent to Rp41.1 billion.
All suspects are currently detained at the Central Java Police detention facility. They have been charged under multiple provisions, including Article 51 Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 35 of Law No. 1/2024 on Electronic Information and Transactions, Article 45A Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 28 Paragraph (1) of the same law, and Article 492 of the Criminal Code on fraud. The charges carry prison sentences ranging from four to 12 years.
Indonesianpost.com | Republika
