Car Rental Entrepreneur Reveals Mudik Lebaran Vehicle Rental Scam Tactics: Promises of Cheap Deals, Deposits Disappear

JAKARTA - A car rental entrepreneur on Tongkol Street in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Adi Supriyatna (40), has revealed the modus operandi frequently used by scammers in vehicle rentals for Eid al-Fitr homecoming trips. He stated that the scammers typically offer cheap packages but never deliver the promised vehicles. “They lure with cheap Eid package prices, okay, the prospective renter agrees. Suddenly, they’re asked for a deposit. Once the deposit is received, the vehicle isn’t delivered,” he recounted when met by Kompas.com at his car rental business on Thursday (19/3/2026). According to him, many victims are deceived because they do not conduct direct checks at the rental business location. “There’s this recent case too. And the renter didn’t survey the rental location first,” he explained. Adi said that prospective renters must be more selective and not easily tempted by cheap package prices. “There are so many scams now, it’s pitiful. Don’t be tempted by cheap prices and Eid packages, then without meeting the rental place, just through phone, WhatsApp, social media, don’t,” he advised. He urged the public to visit the business premises in person before making any transactions, especially when booking vehicles for homecoming trips.