Debt Collector in Ponjong, Gunungkidul Files Counter-Report, Claims He Was Beaten by Mob

A man involved in a fracas over a debt in Ponjong, Gunungkidul, has filed a counter-report with the police. The man, identified by the initial T and a resident of Karangmojo, Gunungkidul, claims he was beaten by a mob at the scene before he summoned his friends.

News of T’s counter-report circulated on social media. The police have confirmed receiving the report and are currently investigating.

‘It went viral that a debt collector for a mobile phone instalment of IDR 350,000, who brought a machete and sickle to a house in Sidorejo, Ponjong, resulting in the victim sustaining injuries from thrown stones and beatings, has now been reported back by T, a resident of Karangmojo who is the boss of the mobile phone credit and money lending service. His report states that T, a Karangmojo resident, was beaten by a mob,’ wrote the Instagram account @gunungkidul_viral2, as seen by detikJogja on Friday (3/7/2026).

The Head of Criminal Investigation at the Gunungkidul Police, AKP Tri Hartanto, confirmed the existence of a report filed by T, a resident of Karangmojo, regarding an alleged mob attack in Ponjong. The report was filed in June 2026.

‘That is correct, there is such a report,’ he said when asked for confirmation by detikJogja on Friday (3/7/2026).

Tri added that the complainant was the person involved in the debt collection against the reported party some time ago. In the report, the complainant claims to have been a victim of assault.

‘The complainant feels he was beaten by a mob during the debt collection. So, before he called his friends, he had already been beaten. That is his claim,’ he said.

However, all of this requires proof. The police are currently conducting an investigation into the report.

‘An investigation will be carried out first; later, if a criminal act is found, we will proceed with an inquiry,’ Tri stated.

Tri added that, in principle, all public reports to the police will be followed up. However, a series of investigations is needed to determine the next steps.

‘Because we cannot refuse a report. All reports must be accommodated,’ he concluded.

Police Name Three Suspects

Previously, the police named three suspects in connection with the altercation over a debt in Ponjong, Gunungkidul. The three suspects are involved in two cases, namely assault and carrying sharp weapons.

‘It has been decided, there are two reports: the first is an assault case with one suspect, and the second is a case of carrying sharp weapons with two suspects,’ said AKP Tri Hartanto when contacted by reporters on Saturday (6/6/2026).

In detail, the suspect in the assault case is identified as S (42), a resident of Karangmojo, Gunungkidul. The motive was that the victim had missed one instalment payment for a smartphone.

‘The motive was that the victim bought a mobile phone on a 24-month instalment plan and missed one payment of IDR 350,000. S is someone who often gives loans to people,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the two suspects in the sharp weapons case are T (48), a resident of Semin, Gunungkidul, and A (37), a resident of Wedi, Klaten, Central Java.

‘T brought a sickle as a precaution, while A brought four swords and a stick, also as a precaution,’ he said.

The Debt Problem

It is known that a resident of Ponjong District was assaulted by a group of debt collectors armed with sharp weapons. The Gunungkidul Police Criminal Investigation Unit detained five people in connection with the incident.

The Head of Criminal Investigation at the Gunungkidul Police, AKP Tri Hartanto, explained that the unit’s Rapid Reaction Team received information from the public about a dispute in Ponjong. Consequently, the police immediately went to the scene.

‘We then immediately went to the crime scene and managed to secure five people last night,’ he said on Friday (5/6).

After that, the police examined the five individuals and the vehicle used.

‘During a search of the vehicle, several sharp weapons, including sickles and swords, were found,’ he said.

As a result, all five were taken to the Gunungkidul Police station. Based on the examination, an assault had occurred at the scene.

‘What happened at the scene was an assault. There were two victims and one perpetrator,’ he said.

Regarding the status of the five individuals, Tri stated that intensive examinations are still underway.

‘So we are still investigating, still examining witnesses to determine whether a criminal act occurred or not. Next, we will also hold a case conference,’ he said.

Regarding the motive for the assault on the victim, Tri mentioned it was due to a debt problem. The victim’s father had purchased a smartphone on credit and there was a shortfall in payment.

‘The motive was collecting a long-standing debt. Actually, the victim’s family member bought a mobile phone on credit from the perpetrator but had not paid for a long time, and there was a shortfall of IDR 350,000. When they tried to find him, the perpetrator was never met and did not pay,’ he said.

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, the perpetrator and his associates went to the victim’s house. Upon arriving at the victim’s house, they met the child of the debtor.

‘When they visited the house, they met the family of the debtor, and a dispute occurred there. Subsequently, the person concerned and the homeowner were beaten by the lender,’ he said.