Fate of Rp 5.2 Billion Returned by Dude Harlino Lies in Judge's Hands
The names of actor Dude Harlino and his wife, Alyssa Soebandono, surfaced in the indictment of three defendants in an embezzlement case involving PT Dana Syariah Indonesia (DSI) due to their role as brand ambassadors. The fee received by Dude and his wife, amounting to Rp 5.25 billion, has been handed over to investigators from the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Dittipideksus) at the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police.
The case began when Bareskrim received a public report regarding alleged payment failures by PT Dana Syariah Indonesia. During the investigation, police uncovered a fictitious project scheme that used data from existing borrowers. This data was then misappropriated by PT Dana Syariah Indonesia to fabricate new projects offered to the public, encouraging them to invest.
The three defendants in this case are Taufiq Aljufri, President Director of Dana Syariah Indonesia; Mery Yuniarni, former Director of Dana Syariah Indonesia; and Arie Rizal Lesmana, Commissioner. The indictment was read out during a trial at the Depok District Court.
During the trial, the public prosecutor from the Depok District Attorney’s Office revealed that Dude and Alyssa were paid Rp 750 million to serve as brand ambassadors for DSI. The indictment detailed digital marketing, promotion, and brand ambassador expenses channelled through an affiliate company. Prosecutors stated that payments to the brand ambassadors were made to appear as if they were lenders, with funds directed to an account at PT Multiguna Cipta Mandiri under the names of Dude Harlino and Anindya Alyssa Soebandono, each receiving an accumulated sum of Rp 750,030,000.
Following the mention of his name in the indictment, Dude surrendered Rp 5.25 billion to Dittipideksus Bareskrim investigators. Dude’s lawyer, Haris Azhar, confirmed the amount matched the total fees received by Dude and his wife for their services as brand ambassadors for DSI. Dude stated that he had long discussed the plan to return the money, describing the act as a gesture of empathy towards the victims of the alleged embezzlement by the DSI bosses. He expressed his hope that the legal process would proceed fairly and in accordance with applicable regulations, adding that he viewed the situation as a professional consequence and a learning experience.
Brigadier General Ade Safri Simanjuntak, Director of Dittipideksus Bareskrim, confirmed the voluntary handover of the money. He explained that investigators had seized the funds in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), and the money now holds the status of evidence in the investigation. The evidence will be included in the case file of suspect Fitri Hadi, whose investigation is still ongoing. Regarding whether the seized money can be used for restitution or compensation, Ade Safri stressed that the decision does not lie with police investigators. The fate of the Rp 5.2 billion will be determined by the judge’s verdict during the trial.