East Lombok Police Arrest Suspected Counterfeit Money Dealers

East Lombok Police, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have arrested two individuals suspected of distributing counterfeit money that had been causing concern in the local community.

Kasi Humas of the East Lombok Police, Lalu Rusmaladi, stated on Monday that the two suspects, identified by the initials MS (31) and AM (26) from Sikur district, along with evidence, have been detained at the Sakra Police Station for further investigation.

He said the arrests were made following a public report regarding the circulation of counterfeit money in the Sakra district area, East Lombok Regency. The operation was a follow-up to complaint report number P/47/VI/2026/Sek.Sakra dated 20 June 2026.

Following up on the report, police officers conducted a series of investigations to uncover the perpetrators. Based on the investigation, officers obtained information on the suspects’ whereabouts. The team then moved to the suspects’ residence in Darmasari Village, Sikur District, East Lombok Regency, and successfully apprehended them on Sunday evening, 21 June 2026.

During the arrest, officers secured several pieces of evidence, including counterfeit money valued at Rp70 million, genuine cash amounting to Rp1,050,000, and a motorcycle used as a means to distribute the counterfeit currency.

Personnel are currently conducting further development of the case to uncover the possibility of other networks involved in the circulation of counterfeit money.

The police have urged the public to be more vigilant when conducting cash transactions and to immediately report to the authorities if they find or suspect the circulation of counterfeit money in their surroundings. “Stay alert and careful when conducting buying and selling transactions,” he said.