Fugitive Insurance Executive Pursued by Interpol Living Lavishly in America
Jakarta — The non-payment case of PT Asuransi Jiwa Adisarana Wanaartha (Wanaartha Life) that emerged in 2019 remains unresolved. One of the key figures in this matter, Evelina F. Pietruschka, continues to be at large and is being pursued by Indonesian law enforcement authorities with the assistance of Interpol.
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) through the NCB Interpol Indonesia continues to search for Evelina and several family members who are allegedly residing and living luxuriously in the United States (US).
Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of NCB Interpol Indonesia, confirmed that law enforcement efforts continue. One of Evelina’s sons, Rezanantha Pietruschka, was temporarily apprehended in California but was subsequently released after posting bail.
“Economic crime perpetrators are never poor. They are all wealthy, all can afford lawyers. That is where they always file bail and challenge us, so that the Interpol red notice is withdrawn on the grounds that this is a civil, not criminal matter,” said Untung following a press conference at the 600 Building, Tangerine, Banten, in late September.
According to Untung, Interpol Indonesia actively coordinates with United States authorities, ranging from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “Do not think we are just sitting idle. We are not. We continue to work,” he affirmed.
For their part, victims of Wanaartha have also undertaken independent search efforts. In October 2023, one policyholder claimed to have flown directly to California after waiting more than four years for clarity. In a video, the policyholder appeared to approach an exclusive residential area in Beverly Hills. However, before entering the gate, they were stopped by security personnel.
“That was Evelina speaking. She rejected me and did not allow me to enter,” said the policyholder in the video.
Based on data from Clustrmaps, a website that claims to present public information, the Pietruschka family is said to own a luxury home in Beverly Hills. According to property prices in the area based on the Zillow marketplace, its value is estimated to reach millions of US dollars. However, this publication has not been able to independently verify the truth of this asset ownership.
Whilst victims still await legal certainty, Evelina F. Pietruschka remains a symbol of irony in one of Indonesia’s largest insurance scandals: at large and pursued by Interpol, yet allegedly enjoying a comfortable life in the United States.
Evelina herself is not an unfamiliar name in the insurance industry. Based on company and professional organisation information, she previously served as Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Insurance Council (DAI) for the 2001-2002 period, then as Chairman of DAI in 2002-2005.
Her career continued as Chairman of the Indonesian Life Insurance Association (AAJI) for two periods from 2005-2011, and as Chairman of the Federation of Indonesian Insurance Associations (FAPI) for the 2007-2008 period.
At the regional level, Evelina also previously served as Secretary General of the ASEAN Insurance Council. She obtained a master’s degree from Pepperdine University, California, United States. However, this track record took a turn for the worse after her name became embroiled in the Wanaartha Life scandal.