Man arrested in Jakarta for allegedly embezzling Rp1.2 billion via currency exchange scam

Authorities in Indonesia have arrested a 35-year-old man identified as Franky for allegedly embezzling approximately Rp1.2 billion (around $75,000 USD).

The arrest was made by a joint team from the Resmob Bareskrim Polri and Polresta Barelang in the Grogol Petamburan area of West Jakarta. Franky had reportedly been on the run after allegedly taking the substantial sum from a colleague.

According to Kombes Arsya Khadafi, Head of the Resmob Bareskrim Polri unit, the case began when Franky contacted a colleague, identified only as WG, via text message. Franky proposed exchanging Indonesian Rupiah for US Dollars and requested WG transfer Rp1,269,000,000 to facilitate the transaction.

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The suspect is suspected of committing embezzlement in office as referred to in Article 488 of the Criminal Code. The suspect is currently secured to undergo legal proceedings.

After WG transferred the money as requested, Franky promised to return it. However, the promised return never materialized. Franky initially claimed that payments from his clients had not yet been received. A subsequent investigation by the victim revealed that the money had not been used for the promised currency exchange, and Franky subsequently disappeared, becoming difficult to contact.

Based on the victim's report, which was registered under LP-B/255/VI/2025/SPKT/Polresta Barelang/Polda Kepri, the joint police team tracked down and apprehended Franky in West Jakarta. He has been taken into custody by Polresta Barelang investigators to face legal proceedings under Article 488 of the Indonesian Criminal Code for embezzlement.

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The perpetrator wanted to exchange rupiah for dollars, then the perpetrator asked his colleague to transfer Rp 1,269,000,000.