Counterfeit Stamp Duty Syndicate Exposed, Costing the State Trillions

Polda Metro Jaya, together with the Directorate General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance, has uncovered a syndicate producing counterfeit stamp duty. Due to the counterfeiting, the state has suffered losses of up to Rp 1 trillion.

“Polda Metro Jaya, in cooperation with the Directorate General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance, has successfully uncovered a syndicate producing and selling counterfeit stamp duty,” said Deputy Chief of Polda Metro Jaya Brigadier General Dekananto at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (19/8/2026).

In this case, 16 people have been named as suspects. The suspects detained are B, RC, M, TA, RTP, IA, F, H, RH, MIF, SNM, U, FF, NSA, P, and MO.

Director General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance, Bimo Wijayanto, revealed that officers seized 3.4 million counterfeit stamps in the case. In addition, one production machine set and three rolls of raw material for producing stamps in large quantities were also secured.

Officers then conducted an investigation into the evidence found. According to Bimo, the seized evidence is estimated to still be usable for making 33 million counterfeit stamps.

“Based on the results of the joint investigation, the raw materials found are estimated to still be usable for producing more than 33 million stamps per roll. This means that if this activity had not been stopped, the potential loss of state revenue could have reached around Rp 1 trillion,” said Bimo.

In addition, Bimo said his office received information that four million stamps had been sold. In their operation, the syndicate could produce 900,000 stamps in 10 days.

“We also obtained information that around 4 million stamps have been sold with a nominal value of around Rp 40 billion. The machine seized is estimated to have a production capacity of around 900,000 stamps within 10 days,” he explained.

Bimo further revealed the syndicate’s modus operandi in producing millions of counterfeit stamps. There were several methods used by the perpetrators.

“From the results of the investigation, the methods used were quite varied. There were stamps that were produced from scratch using raw materials to be sold resembling genuine stamps,” said Bimo.

There were also those who used used stamps and then reused them. The stamps had marks showing they had been used removed.

He revealed that the sale of counterfeit stamps was carried out directly. In addition, sales were made through marketplaces or online.

“This is a concern for us because current trading patterns have changed, and illegal products are also taking advantage of digital channels to reach consumers more widely. Therefore, we are also carrying out supervision together with law enforcement officials and continuously adapting to the modus operandi,” he said.

Of the 16 suspects detained, four are women. The suspects each had their own roles. The roles of the suspects are as follows: B as producer, RC as distributor, M as courier, TA as recycler, RTP as recycler, IA as seller, F as seller, H as seller, RH as seller, MIF as seller, SNM as seller, U as seller, FF as seller, NSA as seller, P as seller, and MO as seller.