Criminologist Highlights Alleged Rp58.5 Billion Gold Investment Fraud Case
Adrianus Meliala, a Professor of Criminology at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia (UI), has drawn attention to the alleged fraud and/or embezzlement case involving a gold mining investment worth Rp58.5 billion, which implicates a National Police officer identified by the initials Kombes F.
Adrianus stated that the case should not be viewed solely through the lens of alleged fraud or embezzlement. He argued that the use of influence derived from one’s rank and position must also be examined if it was utilised to obtain material gain.
Adrianus referred to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which regulates ‘trading in influence’ as a form of corruption-related activity. “In the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), it is stated that the abuse of position, or in other words, trading in influence, is considered corruption,” Adrianus said in a statement on Sunday (30/8).
According to Adrianus, trading in influence can occur openly or through less visible means. In practice, an individual may display their rank or position to build trust with other parties and secure advantages. “Trading in influence can happen overtly by flaunting rank and position to obtain material benefits,” he said.
He further explained that this pattern can also occur more discreetly. Once influence has been exerted, the transfer of material benefits to the person holding the rank or position may follow. “However, it can also occur subtly and hiddenly, eventually resulting in the provision of material benefits to the holder of the rank and position,” he added.
In the context of this case, Adrianus believes that the alleged use of status as a police officer to build investor confidence needs to be part of the investigation. This is necessary to determine whether there is a link between F’s position as a police officer and the emergence of trust or the investment transactions currently being contested.
“This case is clearly an instance of trading in influence, which is also regulated under the Anti-Corruption Law as a result of UNCAC,” he said.
He expressed regret that provisions regarding trading in influence have not been widely utilised in Indonesia’s law enforcement processes. According to him, this has resulted in the concept of trading in influence lacking many concrete precedents in legal cases.
Consequently, Adrianus views the report filed with the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) as a momentum to test the application of trading in influence regulations. “Therefore, it would be beneficial if those provisions are applied in this case to serve as a lesson for others,” said Adrianus.
Meanwhile, the report against Kombes F pertains to the alleged fraud and/or embezzlement of a gold mining investment valued at Rp58.5 billion. The report was received by the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency on 20 August 2026 and is currently being processed by law enforcement authorities.
Another issue of concern is F’s position as an active member of the National Police. This status is deemed a necessary consideration to ensure the investigation proceeds objectively, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest or concerns regarding the influence of rank on the legal process.
Adrianus maintains that the investigation must be conducted based on existing evidence and facts. F’s status as a police officer should not be a reason for special treatment, nor should it serve as a basis for concluding guilt before the legal process is complete.