Central Java Police Hand Over 38 Suspects in Rp41.1 Billion Pig Butchering Case to Prosecutors
The Cyber Crime Directorate of the Central Java Regional Police has concluded its investigation into an alleged transnational online scam using the ‘pig butchering’ method. This criminal network amassed profits of USD 2,327,625, or approximately Rp41.1 billion. A total of 38 suspects and associated evidence have now been handed over to the Public Prosecutor of the Sukoharjo District Attorney’s Office.
This second stage of handover took place at the Surakarta Class I Detention Centre on Wednesday (16/09/2026), after the case files were declared complete (P-21). With this submission, the case has officially entered the prosecution stage in court.
The case was first detected by the Central Java Police Cyber Crime Directorate through cyber patrols that identified international-scale online fraud activities. In-depth investigations subsequently led to several locations in Sukoharting Regency and Surakarta City, which served as the operational hubs for the network.
Based on investigation results, the network operated from July 2025 to May 2026. Their primary targets were United States citizens. It is recorded that approximately 5,000 people were targeted, with at least 133 confirmed victims.
The pig butchering fraud method was executed with high sophistication. Perpetrators built emotional relationships and trust with potential victims through dating applications and social media using fake identities. To convince victims, the syndicate utilised fake photos, videos, and even video calls.
Once victims were emotionally entangled, the perpetrators began directing them to invest in or trade crypto assets through specific platforms entirely controlled by the network. Once funds were deposited, the money was immediately seized by the perpetrators, and victims were unable to withdraw either their capital or the promised profits.
The Director of Cyber Crime at Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Pol Wahyu Nugroho Setyawan, emphasised that the entire investigation process at the police level has been completed.
“After the full series of investigations was conducted and the case files were declared complete, the Central Java Cyber Crime Directorate has carried out the handover of 38 suspects and evidence to the Public Prosecutor of the Sukoharjo District Attorney’s Office,” said Wahyu on Thursday (17/09/2026).
Given the transnational dimension of the crime, Central Java investigators coordinated closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through NCB Interpol, the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), and the Directorate General of Immigration. Of the 38 suspects apprehended, the network was found to involve both Indonesian and foreign nationals.
Several key pieces of evidence were also submitted to the prosecution, including communication devices, computers, laptops, monitors, corporate documents, and other electronic equipment supporting the fraudulent activities.
The Head of Public Relations for Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Pol Yuliyantoo, reminded the public to learn from this case and to be more vigilant regarding interactions in digital spaces, particularly those involving personal relationships.
“The pig butchering modus operandi exploits trust and emotional connections before victims are directed towards investment transactions. Therefore, the public must be cautious if someone newly met through social media or dating apps begins directing communication towards investments, trading, or crypto assets with the promise of large profits,” said Yuliyanto.
He urged the public to always verify the legality of companies or investment platforms before depositing funds, and not to easily provide personal data or banking information to unverified parties. “Do not be easily enticed by large profits in a short period of time,” he concluded.