Anton tried for Rp 1.3b car fraud

JAKARTA (JP): Four of 13 people defrauded by a car dealer testified at the Central Jakarta district court yesterday that Anton Hartanto took them for a very expensive ride.

Anton is being tried for swindling Rp 1.3 billion (US$ 584,300) from his clients last year as down payments on several types of cars, including a Mercedes Benz C-320, which he failed to deliver.

The defendant, who used to work at an insurance company, tricked his clients by offering them luxury cars at prices much lower than those offered by authorized dealers.

One of the witnesses said yesterday that he was tempted by Anton's offer and decided to buy a Mercedes Benz C-320 at Rp 200 million (US$ 89,900), Rp 150 million less than its actual price of Rp 350 million (US$ 157,300).

Anton was arrested after his victims reported him to the police.

He refused to be accompanied by lawyers at yesterday's session, saying only: "I admit that I'm wrong, so I'll have to take all the responsibility," he told journalists after the preliminary trial.

The presiding judge adjourned the hearing until next week.(03)