Ex-KPK Investigator: Proving Febrie's Money Laundering Case Is Straightforward, Focus on Tracing Fund Flows
The handling of the alleged money laundering (TPPU) in the case dragging in former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) at the Attorney General’s Office, Febrie Adriansyah, is judged unlikely to be difficult to prove, provided investigators are able to trace the flow of funds and reveal the parties who truly benefit from the assets allegedly disguised.
A former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator, Yudi Purnomo Harahap, said the money laundering method allegedly used in the case is relatively simple. In his view, investigators’ focus should be directed at tracing financial transactions and proving actual ownership of the assets and companies allegedly used as vehicles for laundering money.
“The money laundering method in the Febrie case is relatively simple, so it is not difficult to trace because it uses simple methods,” Yudi told Media Indonesia on Tuesday (4/8).
According to Yudi, investigators have an approach commonly used to uncover money laundering cases, namely following the money. Through that tracing, investigators can then strengthen the construction of the case through testimony from witnesses who know the process of transferring or controlling the assets. “It is simply a matter of following the flow of funds, then strengthening the evidence through witness statements,” he said.
Furthermore, Yudi asserted that the most important aspect in proving money laundering is identifying who actually enjoys the benefits of the disguised assets.
According to Yudi, this is necessary to prove that even though assets or companies are registered in the name of other parties, control and economic benefits remain with the party under investigation. “Next, it is necessary to reveal who the beneficial owner is and who the true owner of the related assets or companies is,” he said.
Previously, the Attorney General’s Office revealed that the four companies searched by the investigative team belong to a private individual with the initials Don Ritto (DR). These companies are allegedly linked to the tracing of funds and assets in the case currently being handled.
The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) confirmed that the four companies searched by the Nine-Member Investigative Team on Monday (3/8) belong to the private individual with the initials Don Ritto (DR).
The searches were carried out as part of the investigation into the alleged money laundering (TPPU) involving the former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus), Febrie Adriansyah.
The Head of the Attorney General’s Office Legal Information Centre, Anang Supriatna, said the four companies searched were PT HI, PT PIS, PT KPE and PT SME. In addition, investigators also searched the Don Ritto and Partners office in South Jakarta and the residence of suspect Nurman Herin in Depok, West Java. “Investigators are still carrying out search efforts to this day,” Anang said in Jakarta on Tuesday (4/8).
Anang explained that the Nine-Member Team is still delving deeper into witness statements and items of evidence, including the ownership status of the gold and cash previously seized by investigators from the National Police’s Corruption and Other Serious Crimes Eradication Corps (Kortas) before the case was transferred to the Attorney General’s Office. This examination is being carried out to strengthen the evidence and the construction of the charges against Febrie.
However, when asked whether ownership of the gold and cash had been confirmed as belonging to Febrie or another party, Anang could not yet give a definitive answer. He stressed that the ownership status of all items of evidence will be proven through court proceedings before a panel of judges.
Previously, the Attorney General’s Office also issued three investigation warrants (sprindik) after receiving the case transfer from the National Police.
The investigation into the alleged corruption and money laundering (TPPU) dragging in former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah has developed rapidly within days. Beginning with searches of several locations, the case has progressed to Febrie’s resignation, his naming as a suspect, the formation of a special team at the Attorney General’s Office, and a continuing series of examinations.