137 Inmates in Lampung Suspected of Running Love Scams from Inside Detention Centre
Bandarlampung - A love scamming case carried out by inmates from inside the Class IIB Kotabumi Detention Centre has been uncovered by the Lampung Provincial Police.
“This case was revealed through collaboration or joint investigation with the Ministry of Immigration, allowing us to uncover the love scamming operation controlled from within the Kotabumi Detention Centre,” stated Lampung Police Chief Inspector General Helfi Assegaf on Monday, 11 May 2026.
He mentioned that in this case, at least 137 detainees in the facility are suspected of being involved in the group-based love scamming criminal activity.
“We examined 145 inmates there (Kotabumi Detention Centre) and 137 individuals were indicated to be involved in this case,” he said.
According to the investigation results, the number of identified victims reached more than 1,200, with 671 of them related to online-based sexual exploitation.
“Of that number, 249 victims are known to have transferred money to the perpetrators. The victims come from various regions, including East Java and Lampung, with estimated total losses of Rp1.4 billion,” he stated.
He explained that the modus operandi used by the perpetrators involved creating social media accounts with fake profiles resembling members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) or Police to deceive their victims.
“This activity has been carried out by the perpetrators since January to April. Evidence seized includes 156 mobile phones of various brands, one bank savings book, daily police uniforms, police insignia, detective pins, and clothing used to support the disguise operation,” he said.
He emphasised that the Lampung Provincial Police will continue to investigate this case in depth and identify all further involved parties.
“Currently, the involved inmates have been transferred from the Kotabumi Detention Centre to the Bandarlampung Detention Centre to facilitate the ongoing investigation process,” he added.