Another pocong hoax causes panic in Depok

Viral claims of a pocong ghost have once again caused panic in Depok, West Java. After investigation, the pocong story turned out to be false.

The viral information first emerged in Pasir Putih, Sawangan, Depok, in April. A photo circulating on a WhatsApp RT group showed a figure believed to be a pocong standing in front of a resident’s door. Residents shared sightings of the pocong moving through Gang Nangka in Pasir Putih, Sawangan, Depok. Some claimed to have been possessed after the pocong approached them, with reports stating it asked for its bindings to be loosened.

Bojongsari Police Chief Kompol Fauzan Thohari investigated the claims. On Friday 24 April, police confirmed the rumours were false after checking the location with local residents. “We have verified the reports together with the RT head and confirmed it’s a hoax,” he said. The RT 04/RW 04 head in Pasir Putih also confirmed the viral news was false.

Depok Mayor Supian Suri addressed the hoax during the city’s 27th anniversary ceremony on 27 April. He joked that pocongs couldn’t exist in Depok anymore as most areas have been developed into residential zones. “Please help us eliminate hoaxes in Depok. A new hoax about pocongs roaming the city emerged recently,” he said. “I request that pocongs no longer roam Depok as almost every corner is now residential.” He dismissed other mythical stories linked to Depok, stating there are no flying coffins, babi ngepet, or roaming pocongs.

A new hoax emerged recently, with a white figure allegedly sitting on a resident’s porch in Tapos, Depok. The incident was reported on 23 May at 1.00am on Jalan Al Ikhlas, Jatijajar. Cimanggis Police Chief Kompol Jupriono confirmed the photo was edited. According to Ustaz Agus Salim, the image showed a man waiting for prayers after Maghrib, but was altered to include a pocong. “The photo is a manipulation; the original shows a person sitting on the musala porch after Maghrib prayers waiting for Isha,” he explained.