A social media influencer from Gresik, Rista Prisilia Wardhani (RPW),\nwho was accused of fraud through a food and beverage (FnB) business\ninvestment scheme, has been acquitted by the Gresik District Court. The\njudges ruled that while the defendant\u2019s actions were proven, the matter\nfell within the civil domain rather than constituting a criminal\noffence.<\/p>\n
The acquittal was delivered by a panel of judges chaired by M. Aunur\nRofiq. In its considerations, the court stated that RPW\u2019s actions were\ncategorised as a civil matter, namely the use of investor funds that did\nnot conform to the written agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer actions were proven, but they are not a criminal offence.\nTherefore, her dignity and reputation must be restored,\u201d Rofiq said\nduring the hearing on Friday (14\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
Rofiq also noted that RPW had created an investment scheme with\nenticing returns to attract victims. However, the funds collected from\ninvestors were subsequently used for personal interests and did not\nalign with the agreements made.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proceeds from investors were used for personal interests, not in\naccordance with the written agreement,\u201d Rofiq stated.<\/p>\n
He added that another issue lay in the content of the investment\nagreement letters drawn up between the defendant and the investors. The\nagreements reportedly only stipulated the profits to be earned without\nclearly regulating other aspects, meaning they could not serve as a\nbasis to ensnare the defendant in a criminal case.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe agreement letters only mention profits. Therefore, they cannot\nbe executed or implemented,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Based on these considerations, the panel of judges ultimately\nacquitted RPW of all charges and legal demands. The court also declared\nthat the defendant\u2019s dignity and reputation must be restored.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe defendant is acquitted of all charges and demands,\u201d Rofiq\nconcluded.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, RPW\u2019s legal counsel, Achmad Qomaruz Zaman, welcomed the\nruling. Since the case began in court, his team had maintained that the\nmatter involving his client was a civil dispute.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate and respect the ruling that frees our client from all\nlegal demands,\u201d Achmad said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Public Prosecutor Imamal Muttaqin stated that he\nwould still pursue legal remedies against the acquittal. The prosecutor\nconsidered the judges\u2019 verdict inconsistent with the demands previously\nsubmitted during the trial.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will coordinate with our superiors. However, the clear step is to\npursue an appeal to the Supreme Court,\u201d Imamal said.<\/p>\n
The acquittal has left a number of victims disappointed. One of them,\nZF, a resident of Kebomas, claimed to have suffered losses of around\nRp100 million due to the investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt harmed many victims, she was not detained, and then she was\nacquitted by the judge. It feels utterly futile to seek justice,\u201d ZF\nsaid.<\/p>\n
As previously reported, the fraudulent investment case involving RPW\nis estimated to have caused victims\u2019 losses of up to Rp3 billion. RPW\nallegedly exploited her popularity as a social media influencer to\nattract investors to the FnB business she ran.<\/p>\n
At the time, the head of the criminal investigation unit at Gresik\nPolice, Iptu Komang Andhika Haditya Prabu, revealed that RPW offered\nseveral investment packages through a business account on Instagram. The\ncapital offered ranged from Rp5 million to Rp50 million, with varying\nreturns and repayment periods.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe capital offered ranged from five million to fifty million\nrupiah. The returns and repayment periods varied depending on the\ncapital invested,\u201d Komang said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gresik-influencer-acquitted-in-rp3-billion-fraudulent-investment-case-1786783816", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }