Bogor Money-Doubling Shaman Arrested for Printing Fake Notes Using Printer
Police have dismantled a counterfeit money operation in the Bogor area of West Java. The suspect, identified by the initials MP alias Mahfud, aged 39, was apprehended after being discovered to be producing fake Rp100,000 notes under the pretence of being able to multiply victims’ wealth.
The Deputy Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Regional Police, AKBP Martuasah Hermindo Tobing, revealed that the perpetrator exploited victims’ trust through shamanistic practices.
“The copied money was intended to be circulated in society by pretending it was a money-doubling practice or shamanism,” said Martuasah during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (1/4).
In carrying out his scheme, Mahfud lured victims into surrendering genuine money with promises of multiplying it several times over. However, instead of supernatural duplication, the suspect produced sheets of paper resembling rupiah using basic equipment.
“The suspect used an Epson brand printer with a master printing tool. Afterwards, the copied results were cut using a Joyko brand cutter, scissors, and a utility knife,” explained Martuasah.
The perpetrator also used cardstock paper adjusted to the appropriate size so that its texture and shape could deceive the eye at a glance, making it resemble genuine currency.
To date, the police are still investigating the case to trace how far the fake money produced by MP has circulated in society. Metro Jaya Regional Police has issued a stern warning to the public not to fall for similar tricks.
“We urge the public not to easily believe in money-doubling practices. This modus operandi is often used as an entry point for fraud and the circulation of counterfeit money,” he concluded.
Metro Jaya Regional Police seized 12,191 sheets of fake Rp100,000 notes from the suspect MP in Bogor. The perpetrator used the modus operandi of a money-doubling shaman with simple printing tools.
The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of Metro Jaya Regional Police uncovered a case of counterfeit money production with evidence of fake Rp100,000 notes worth Rp620 million.