Appearance of "Black Dollar", Liberian Foreigner's Weapon to Deceive Korean Businessman
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Police have revealed evidence in a fraud case involving the black dollar or black money modus operandi, which targeted a South Korean national in West Jakarta.
The main evidence in the case consists of six suitcases filled with stacks of paper claimed to be US dollar bills.
However, after examination by the police, the stacks wrapped in plastic containers were found to be ordinary black paper, not dollars.
Three suspects, who are Liberian nationals namely SDT, IDK, and LP, used the black paper to deceive LBO, a businessman from South Korea in West Jakarta.
Based on observations by Kompas.com at the press conference at the West Metro Jakarta Police Resort, Tuesday (31/3/2026), the black dollar does indeed resemble genuine US dollars in form.
In the plastic wrapping, the paper appears to have white stains in the form of powder, claimed to be used to disguise the paper so it is not detected by customs.
When held, the black paper has a slightly rough texture, similar to the material of currency usually used in transactions.
“So the gist is that the suspects deceived by saying that this black paper is dollars disguised to pass immigration checks, and then it can be washed to turn back into dollars and be used,” said the Deputy Head of Criminal Investigation at the West Metro Jakarta Police Resort, Commissioner Police Raden Dwi Kennardi.
To convince the victim, the perpetrators carried out a demonstration as if the black paper could be washed into genuine US dollars using a special liquid.
“So for the sample or example at the beginning, there were 3,300 that were washed, and it succeeded but only 300 US dollars were given to the victim to exchange at a money changer to build trust that the money was genuine,” explained Kenn.
However, after being squeezed for thousands of US dollars, the victim then tried to directly dissolve the black dollar using the liquid provided by the perpetrators.
The result was no change in the black paper. The victim then realised he had been scammed.
The victim, who suffered losses of Rp 1.6 billion, subsequently reported to the West Metro Jakarta Police Resort.
The Head of Public Relations Section of the West Jakarta Police Resort, AKP Wisnu Wirawan, stated that the case began in mid-August 2025. The three suspects met and got acquainted with LBO at one of the malls in Jakarta.