East Java Police Uncover National Online Car Sales Fraud Network
The Directorate of Cyber Crime at the East Java Regional Police has uncovered a national-scale online car sales fraud network operating in Kediri, Batam, and Samarinda, arresting 11 suspects and confiscating assets worth billions of rupiah.
“For the suspects, we secured them in several regions, namely in Kediri, Batam, and Samarinda. In total, there are 11 suspects secured at three different locations,” said the Director of Cyber Crime at the East Java Regional Police, Commissioner Bimo Ariyanto, in Surabaya on Monday.
The case came to light following a report from a victim from Taman Subdistrict, Sidoarjo Regency, who was targeted in an online car buying and selling fraud on 15 February 2026.
In their investigation, the police revealed that the group in Kediri acted as providers of bank accounts to hold the proceeds of crime.
“The perpetrators DS, RV, YD, and DM were tasked with finding accounts and activating mobile banking by gathering residents, then giving them a bonus of one litre of cooking oil. These accounts were then handed over to the upper network,” Bimo stated.
Meanwhile, the Batam group, consisting of MJ, AN, and BD, was responsible for finding potential victims through marketplaces and social media by uploading photos of vehicles along with stolen car data from other vehicle sales platforms, using prices below market rates.
When victims showed interest, communication was then directed through private messages and specific phone numbers controlled by the perpetrators.
The syndicate operated using a triangular scheme by connecting the real seller, the perpetrator, and the buyer without them knowing each other’s identities.
“The victim appears to be conducting a normal transaction, whereas payments are directed to the syndicate’s holding accounts,” he said.
The Samarinda group is suspected to be the main control centre of the network.
AF is said to be the mastermind, RN acted as a recruiter and inter-network connector, SH managed fund withdrawals, while WY served as the manager of the final holding accounts.
According to Bimo, the suspects in Samarinda are recidivists in narcotics cases who had recently been released from correctional institutions.
During the raids, investigators seized two cars, one Kawasaki Ninja R motorcycle, two BCA bank passbooks, seven BCA savings books, 30 mobile phones, and several other assets suspected to be related to money laundering crimes.
“There is no involvement from BCA,” Bimo emphasised.
The suspects are charged under Article 45A paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph (1) of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law as amended by Law Number 1 of 2024, as well as money laundering offences and the Criminal Code.
They face a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Rp5 billion.
The East Java Regional Police has also assured that the investigation is still being developed because dozens of similar reports have been found in various regions.