East Manggarai Man Arrested While Preparing for Wedding

A man from East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), identified by the initials MEL, 33, was arrested while at his fiancée’s home in connection with an alleged Rp250 million fraud involving the sale of a car. He was arrested by the East Manggarai Police Resmob Unit in Tilang hamlet, Tilang village, Nita sub-district, Sikka regency, on Monday afternoon, 9 November 2026.

“The suspect was detained at Tilang hamlet, Tilang village, Nita sub-district, Sikka regency,” East Manggarai Police Criminal Investigation Unit chief First Inspector Ahmad Zacky Shodri said when contacted on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

The suspect was later identified as Marselus Ertus Lombe. He has been named a suspect in an alleged car-sales fraud dating from 2021–2022.

How the victim met the suspect

The case began in October 2021, when the victim and a witness visited Marselus’s parents’ home to settle payment for a plot of land. Marselus’s parents then asked him to introduce the victim and witness to his car-buying and selling business.

Marselus offered them the opportunity. To convince them, he showed photographs of several people who he said had bought cars from him. The victim was interested but asked for time to discuss it with his wife.

“Not long afterwards, because the victim was interested in what the suspect had said, he contacted the suspect on Facebook. After communicating on Facebook for some time, the victim asked for the suspect’s WhatsApp number so it would be easier to enquire about the car,” Zacky said on Wednesday, 11 November.

Interested in a Fuso Canter dump truck

The victim and Marselus continued communicating on WhatsApp. Marselus sent several photographs of cars the victim was looking for.

The victim became interested in a Fuso Canter dump truck and asked Marselus how much it cost.

“The suspect told him the vehicle cost around Rp250 million, delivered ready for use in Borong, the capital of East Manggarai,” Zacky said.

The victim agreed to the price. In March 2022, he contacted Marselus again to ask about payment and requested a video call so he could see the vehicle being offered.

Truck photos and video sent

When asked to make a video call, Marselus instead ended the call. He then sent the victim photographs of the truck and a video of himself driving it.

“After that, the suspect immediately ended the call, then sent photographs of the vehicle and a video of himself driving the dump truck. He then contacted the victim again and asked, ‘Is it right now?’ The victim replied, ‘Yes, it’s right,’” Zacky said.

After the victim confirmed he wanted the truck, Marselus asked him to meet a man named Innocentius Gande. He told the victim to hand the payment to Innocentius or transfer it to an account belonging to someone named In.

Victim transfers Rp250 million

On 16 March 2022, the victim and his wife went to Innocentius’s home to verify Marselus’s car-selling business. Innocentius confirmed that Marselus was in the business, saying several people had bought cars from him.

The following day, 17 March, the victim transferred Rp250 million as payment for the truck. The money was sent to a BRI account in the name of Kristiana Natalia Ogot.

Truck never arrives, nearly five years later

The victim never received the dump truck after transferring the money. Marselus repeatedly promised that the vehicle was on its way, but it was never delivered.

“Over time, the victim was repeatedly told by the suspect that the vehicle was on its way, but to this day it has not arrived,” Zacky said.

The victim then reported the suspected fraud to the East Manggarai Police.

Arrested while preparing for his wedding

Police investigated the report and named Marselus a suspect after gathering sufficient evidence.

“After the East Manggarai Police Criminal Investigation Unit conducted an investigation and inquiry, and once sufficient evidence had been obtained, the suspect was named,” Zacky said.

Police arrested Marselus while he was preparing for his wedding at his fiancée’s home in Tilang hamlet, Tilang village, Nita sub-district, Sikka regency, on Monday afternoon, 9 November.

Marselus has been charged under Article 492 of the Criminal Code, which concerns fraud. He is being held at the East Manggarai Police detention centre while the legal process continues.