Counterfeit Money Busted
A counterfeit money syndicate in Banten and West Java has been dismantled by police, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects. Officers seized thousands of fake rupiah, US dollar, and Brazilian real bills.
Authorities say the group had been running the illegal operation for over a year. The suspects now face serious charges, with potential prison sentences of up to 15 years.
A Repeat Offender Behind the Scheme
Grand Commissioner Dian Setyawan, Director of General Criminal Investigation for the Banten Police, said the group had been on their radar for weeks. The investigation led to multiple arrests across the two provinces.
One of the suspects, AM, is a repeat offender. The 45-year-old was jailed in 2014 for distributing counterfeit money. This time, police believe he was in charge of producing the fake bills.
“He learned how to print money from a friend,” Dian said. “That friend is still serving time in a Jakarta prison.”
Along with AM, police arrested 13 others who were allegedly responsible for distributing the fake bills. The suspects, aged between 48 and 66, were identified as ZL, DS, TS, IS, WR, EN, WS, EK, ES, HM, DR, ED, and AS.
How the Police Caught Them
The investigation started on January 19 when police received a tip about counterfeit money circulating in Cikupa, Tangerang. Officers tracked down a suspect, ZL, who was caught with Rp15 million in fake bills.
During questioning, ZL admitted he got the counterfeit money from DS and AS in Bandung. That led police to expand their investigation, eventually identifying the entire network.
The group had been operating quietly for months, passing off fake bills to unsuspecting buyers. Police believe the operation was well-organized, with different members playing specific roles.
How the Syndicate Operated
The syndicate sold fake money at a 4-to-1 ratio. This meant that for every Rp1 million in real money, buyers would receive Rp4 million in counterfeit bills.
Many of the customers were small-time traders who wanted to profit from the illegal exchange. Some may have unknowingly accepted the fake bills, believing them to be genuine.
Authorities seized 1,600 counterfeit Indonesian rupiah notes, 1,034 fake US dollar bills, and 200 fake Brazilian real notes. The operation was large-scale. Police suspect more fake money is still in circulation.
Severe Penalties for Counterfeiting
Producing and distributing counterfeit money is a serious offense in Indonesia. The suspects could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.
They may also be fined up to Rp50 billion (over US$3 million). Police say they are still investigating the case to determine if more individuals were involved.
“This is not just about printing fake money,” Dian said. “It damages the economy and hurts innocent people who unknowingly receive it.”
Police Warn the Public to Stay Alert
Authorities are urging people to be cautious when handling cash. Fake bills can be hard to spot, especially for those who don’t check carefully.
Business owners, banks, and everyday citizens are advised to inspect money before accepting it. Signs of counterfeit notes include differences in texture, missing watermarks, and incorrect security features.
Police say they will continue their crackdown on counterfeit money operations. They are now working to track down any remaining fake bills in circulation.
“This investigation is not over,” Dian said. “We are still looking for other possible suspects.”
For now, the 14 arrested individuals remain in police custody as they await further legal proceedings.
