Bimantoro Wiyono Says Alleged TRG Travel Case Points to Ponzi Scheme
INDONESIA NATIONAL NEWS - Indonesian Member of Parliament Bimantoro Wiyono of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) suspects that the fraud allegedly carried out by TRG Travel points to a Ponzi scheme. He stated this during a Hearing of Dengar Pendapat (RDP) and a Public Hearing (RDPU) with the Sulawesi Tenggara Regional Police (Polda Sultra), the victims’ legal counsel, and the travel party’s counsel at the Nusantara II Building, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, 2 March 2026.
He explained that the pattern used by the travel company is alleged to mobilise funds from new pilgrims to cover the obligations of earlier pilgrims. Of about 500 pilgrims in total, only around 100 were dispatched, while roughly 400 were not dispatched. He noted that the practice typically begins by dispatching 10 to 30 percent of pilgrims to build trust, while 40 to 100 percent of the following pilgrims are not dispatched.
If I look at this, it is heading toward a Ponzi scheme. From the outset it has been a fraud in financing, not in the profits from departures, but from the funds of the pilgrims or new investors entering, said Bimantoro.
He also urged that the handling of the case be carried out comprehensively by the Polda, given that victims come from several regencies. From the data received, total losses could reach tens to hundreds of billions of rupiah if all reports from other regions are compiled. “I urge that this be transferred to and handled by the Polda because the victims cross regencies and the potential losses are very large,” he said.
Additionally, he called on investigators to examine the role of travel agents to avoid mistakes in determining suspects. In his view, the legality of Umrah Travel Organisers (PPIU) is typically held by the travel owner, while agents merely conduct on-ground operations. “These agents may not even know the internal issues and could end up being harmed. This must be noted so as not to mislabel suspects,” said Bimantoro.