Children's songwriter arrested for alleged fraud

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Renowned children's songwriter Papa T. Bob alias R. Wanda was arrested by Central Jakarta Police for his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of a Toyota Kijang van.

Central Jakarta Police chief of detectives, Comr. Angesta Romano Yoyol, said on Wednesday that Bob was aware of a plot to sell the rented van with plate number B 8541 K. It belonged to PT Agung Rent A Car in Sumur Batu, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

The car was rented by Bob's colleagues, Sebastian Als Fritz and Andreas. The car was then sold to a businesswoman, named Clara, for Rp 50 million (US$5,882).

"Bob has been under detention since Tuesday night," Yoyol told reporters.

Yoyol said the songwriter, who was popular for his song Diobok-obok (Stirred up) sung by child star Joshua, was charged under Article 372 of the Criminal Code on fraud. If convicted, Bob could face a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

Police detained Andreas two weeks ago and Fritz on Friday for the same case.

Police sources said that the money was all spent for gambling in Mangga Dua, North Jakarta.

PT Agung's owner Lusi Wahyudi said that his car was still in Clara's hands.

"She has asked me to pay Rp 50 million if I want my car back," he said.

Earlier, South Jakarta Police also implicated Bob and Fritz in a fraudulent business deal.

Bob and Fritz rented a Toyota Soluna for Rp 5.2 million in June as part of a business project. When the business faltered, the car was allegedly used as collateral for a Rp 35 million loan. The rental company discovered the deal and reported the case to police.