Four Arrested in Mataram for Counterfeit Vehicle Registration Syndicate

The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Police has uncovered a counterfeit vehicle registration document (STNK) operation. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The Head of Public Relations for the NTB Police, Commissioner Mohammad Kholid, stated that the suspects, identified by the initials MR, S, MRA, and MHA, were operating in Mataram. “The four who were detained had different roles,” Kholid said during a press conference at the NTB Police headquarters on Thursday (23/7/2026). The Director of General Criminal Investigation, Commissioner Arisandi, explained that MR acted as the maker of the fake STNKs, while suspect S provided the location for production. The other two suspects were users of the counterfeit documents produced by the others. The perpetrators operated by taking orders via WhatsApp. Customers would send their vehicle identification details, and the data would then be entered into a computer to create and print the fake STNK. “The perpetrator made the fake STNK using a computer, then printed it and handed it directly to the customer,” Arisandi revealed. The syndicate charged Rp 750,000 for a counterfeit motorcycle STNK, while the rate for a car STNK started from Rp 1 million. In addition to the arrests, police seized evidence including a Grand Max vehicle with a suspected fake number plate, a laptop, a printer, ink, two mobile phones, document-making equipment, stamps, sample counterfeit STNKs, and completed fake STNKs. Vehicle notices and WhatsApp conversation records were also confiscated. For his actions, suspect MR is charged under Article 391 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP). Meanwhile, MRA and MHA are charged under Article 391 paragraph (2) of the same law for using forged documents. “Suspect S is alleged to have violated Article 21 letters a and b of the Criminal Code for allegedly facilitating the crime by providing the location and means for its execution,” Arisandi clarified.