Debt Collector Arrested in West Jakarta After Threatening Customer with Neck Lock
A debt collector, also known as a ‘mata elang’ (matel), with the initials ML alias E (30), has been detained after causing public disturbance at a petrol station on Jalan Kamal Raya Ring Road, Cengkareng Barat, West Jakarta.
West Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Nasriadi, said the incident occurred on Friday, 21 August 2026, at around 5.30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time and later circulated on social media.
Nasriadi stated that his office had received a report and traced the sequence of events in the vehicle repossession process.
“Financing disputes have their own settlement mechanisms. However, when threats or actions that fall into the criminal realm emerge during the collection process, the police are obliged to handle them based on the facts and available evidence,” said Senior Commissioner Nasriadi in his statement, quoted on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
He explained that the incident began when the suspect ML obtained information about a victim who was three months behind on payments. The suspect then approached the victim at the location and claimed to be acting on behalf of the leasing company.
The suspect asked for the arrears issue to be resolved at the financing company’s office in the Cengkareng area. During the communication process, the suspect was inside the car together with the vehicle user’s family.
“When the vehicle began to move, he asked the driver to stop because he wanted to get out, then uttered a threat that he would apply a neck lock if the vehicle kept moving,” he revealed.
Police then conducted an investigation and detained ML on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The suspect faces charges under Article 448 and/or Article 471 of the Criminal Code.
Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, added that debt collection cannot be carried out through intimidation. He said disputes in the financing process should be resolved through lawful mechanisms.
“There are rights that can be claimed, but there are limits that must not be crossed. Collection must not turn into pressure, intimidation, or threats that create new legal problems,” said Budi.
“Legal certainty must be the space for resolution, not pressure or confrontation. In that way, the rights and interests of all parties can remain protected. If members of the public experience unlawful actions during the collection process, they should immediately report it to the nearest police station or through the National Police Call Centre 110 so that it can be followed up,” he added.