Barelang Police Uncover Extortion of Malaysian National Using Dating App Scheme
Batam — The Criminal Investigation Unit of Barelang Police, Riau Islands Provincial Police, has uncovered an extortion case involving a Malaysian national who was targeted through a same-sex dating application scheme in the city of Batam.
Barelang Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief Inspector Debby Tri Andrestian said on Thursday that three suspects operating as a single network with distinct roles extorted the Malaysian victim of 5,000 ringgit (approximately Rp20 million at an exchange rate of Rp4,327.91).
"The victim, identified by the initials MABAG, is a 42-year-old Malaysian national who works as a driver and was on holiday in Batam," said Debby.
During his holiday, the victim sought a companion through the Grindr application, which is identified as a same-sex dating platform. He connected with one of the suspects, a man identified as HG (29), through the application.
HG then invited the victim to meet, promising to pick him up and take him to an empty house in the Batam area.
Two other suspects, identified as WS and YW, then posed as local residents conducting neighbourhood security patrols. They raided the empty house where the victim had gone with his date.
The two suspects threatened the victim for engaging in indecent behaviour at the property. The threats were made using wooden weapons, with the suspects warning they would parade the victim around the neighbourhood.
"The suspects demanded money from the victim in exchange for not reporting the incident, causing the victim to become frightened and hand over the requested sum," Debby disclosed.
The victim subsequently reported the incident to Barelang Police. Following investigation and inquiry, all three suspects were arrested on Wednesday (18 February) at separate locations.
Suspect HG was apprehended in the Bengkong area, suspect YW in the Batu Ampar area, and WS was arrested in Lubuk Baja.
In the criminal act, suspect WS served as the extortionist who threatened the victim and also acted as the operator holding the barcode for fund transfers from the victim to the perpetrators. The barcode was affiliated with online gambling operations.
"YW is the mastermind — he owns the account on the dating application and his role was to find victims," Debby said.
Suspect HG served as the lure who brought victims to the location to be trapped and threatened. All suspects are recidivists with prior convictions for similar offences, namely theft accompanied by violence.
The extortion proceeds were divided among the suspects, with each receiving a different share: WS received Rp6.7 million, YW also received Rp6.7 million, and HG received Rp7 million.
The suspects have been charged under Article 487 paragraph (2) and/or Article 479 paragraph (2) sections A and D of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of 12 years' imprisonment.
Barelang Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief Inspector Debby Tri Andrestian said on Thursday that three suspects operating as a single network with distinct roles extorted the Malaysian victim of 5,000 ringgit (approximately Rp20 million at an exchange rate of Rp4,327.91).
"The victim, identified by the initials MABAG, is a 42-year-old Malaysian national who works as a driver and was on holiday in Batam," said Debby.
During his holiday, the victim sought a companion through the Grindr application, which is identified as a same-sex dating platform. He connected with one of the suspects, a man identified as HG (29), through the application.
HG then invited the victim to meet, promising to pick him up and take him to an empty house in the Batam area.
Two other suspects, identified as WS and YW, then posed as local residents conducting neighbourhood security patrols. They raided the empty house where the victim had gone with his date.
The two suspects threatened the victim for engaging in indecent behaviour at the property. The threats were made using wooden weapons, with the suspects warning they would parade the victim around the neighbourhood.
"The suspects demanded money from the victim in exchange for not reporting the incident, causing the victim to become frightened and hand over the requested sum," Debby disclosed.
The victim subsequently reported the incident to Barelang Police. Following investigation and inquiry, all three suspects were arrested on Wednesday (18 February) at separate locations.
Suspect HG was apprehended in the Bengkong area, suspect YW in the Batu Ampar area, and WS was arrested in Lubuk Baja.
In the criminal act, suspect WS served as the extortionist who threatened the victim and also acted as the operator holding the barcode for fund transfers from the victim to the perpetrators. The barcode was affiliated with online gambling operations.
"YW is the mastermind — he owns the account on the dating application and his role was to find victims," Debby said.
Suspect HG served as the lure who brought victims to the location to be trapped and threatened. All suspects are recidivists with prior convictions for similar offences, namely theft accompanied by violence.
The extortion proceeds were divided among the suspects, with each receiving a different share: WS received Rp6.7 million, YW also received Rp6.7 million, and HG received Rp7 million.
The suspects have been charged under Article 487 paragraph (2) and/or Article 479 paragraph (2) sections A and D of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of 12 years' imprisonment.