"Black Dollar" Fraud Case Exposed, Victim Turns Out to Be South Korean Foreign National
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Metro Jaya Police stated that the victim of the “black dollar” or black dollar scam perpetrated by foreign nationals from Liberia is also a foreign national from South Korea.
“We can explain that the individual was secured for committing the criminal offence of fraud against another foreign national from South Korea using the black dollar modus operandi,” said Kompol Andaru Rahutomo, Head of the Public Information Sub-Section of Metro Jaya Police, when met in Jakarta on Friday.
Andaru explained that the two suspects, initialled SDT and I, have been in detention since 18 March 2026 and are currently undergoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the West Jakarta Metro Police Resort.
“Regarding the details of the case and the modus operandi, this is being investigated by our colleagues at the Criminal Investigation Unit of the West Jakarta Metro Police Resort,” he said.
He added that based on the victim’s report, the complaint was filed on 8 March 2026, but the incident occurred between September and December 2025.
“On that basis, the victim only realised last month and decided to file a report at the West Jakarta Metro Police Resort,” said Andaru.
Andaru explained that several pieces of evidence were also secured, including one bottle of liquid which, according to the suspects’ statements, was used as a means to convince the victim. The liquid was claimed to be able to convert black dollars into genuine dollars.
“From the evidence, there is one bottle of liquid which, according to the suspects, was used as a tool to deceive the victim. That is what was used to manipulate the victim so that the victim handed over the money,” he stated.
Andaru also clarified information regarding the arrest of the two suspects, which took place at a Korean restaurant in the South Jakarta area, whereas the fraud incident and transaction occurred at the Meruya Apartment in West Jakarta.
Metro Jaya Police emphasised that further developments regarding this case will be officially announced by the West Jakarta Metro Police Resort in the near future once the entire investigation process is ready for release.
Previously, Metro Jaya Police arrested two foreign nationals from Liberia suspected of scamming their victim using the “black dollar” sales modus operandi.
Kompol Andaru Rahutomo, Head of the Public Information Sub-Section of Metro Jaya Police, in his statement on Thursday (26/3) in Jakarta, confirmed the matter.
“Correct, two Liberian perpetrators were secured at an apartment in Meruya Kembangan, West Jakarta, for fraud using the black dollar modus operandi,” he said.