Ex-KPK Investigator: Proving Febrie's Money Laundering Case Is Straightforward, Focus on Tracing Fund Flows

A former investigator for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Yudi Purnomo Harahap, has stated that proving the alleged money laundering (TPPU) case involving former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah will not be difficult, provided investigators can trace the flow of funds and identify the true beneficial owners of the assets suspected of being disguised. He described the money laundering modus operandi allegedly used in the case as relatively simple. He believes investigators should focus on tracing financial transactions and proving the actual ownership of assets and companies suspected of being used as vehicles for money laundering. “The money laundering modus operandi in Febrie’s case is relatively simple, so it is not difficult to trace because simple methods were used,” Yudi told Media Indonesia on Tuesday (4/8). According to Yudi, investigators can use the common approach of following the money to uncover money laundering cases. From this tracing, investigators can then strengthen the case construction through witness statements from those who know about the transfer or control of the assets. “Just follow the money, then strengthen the evidence through witness statements,” he said. He further stressed that the most important aspect of proving money laundering is identifying who actually enjoys the benefits of the disguised assets. Yudi stated that this is necessary to prove that even if assets or companies are registered under another person’s name, the control and economic benefits still belong to the party under investigation. “Furthermore, it is necessary to uncover who the beneficial owner is and who the real owner of the related assets or companies is,” he said. The Attorney General’s Office previously revealed that four companies searched by investigators belonged to a private individual with the initials DR. These companies are suspected to be linked to the tracing of fund flows and assets in the case. 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 office of Don Ritto and Partners in South Jakarta and the residence of suspect Nurman Herin in Depok, West Java. “Investigators are still conducting search efforts today,” Anang said in Jakarta on Tuesday (4/8). Anang explained that the special team is currently investigating witness statements and evidence, including the ownership status of gold and cash previously seized by the Police’s Corruption Eradication Corps before the case was transferred to the Attorney General’s Office. This investigation is being carried out to strengthen the evidence and case construction against Febrie. However, when asked whether the ownership of the gold and cash had been confirmed as belonging to Febrie or another party, Anang did not provide a definitive answer. He stressed that the ownership status of all evidence would be proven during the trial before the panel of judges.