Housewife Scams Victims Out of Rp4 Billion by Claiming Coffee Procurement Partnership with City Government
Pagar Alam, VIVA – Pagar Alam Police Resort through the Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) has successfully uncovered an alleged fraud case perpetrated by a housewife with the initials Elp, a resident of Kuripan Babas, North Pagar Alam Subdistrict, Pagar Alam City, South Sumatra.
The case involves a modus operandi of a fictitious coffee procurement partnership in the name of the Pagar Alam City Government, with total victim losses amounting to Rp4.03 billion.
The Head of Satreskrim at Pagar Alam Police Resort, Iptu Heriyanto, accompanied by the Head of Public Relations Iptu Mansyur, revealed that the case was uncovered based on police report Number LP/B/249/XII/2025/Sat Reskrim/Polres Pagar Alam dated 2 December 2025, with the reporter Fitriah Hariani (44), a resident of Penantian Village, Jarai Subdistrict, Lahat Regency.
“This case constitutes a criminal offence of fraud and/or deceitful acts using the modus operandi of offering a fictitious coffee procurement partnership for the Pagar Alam City Government,” said Iptu Mansyur on Monday (30/3/2026).
He explained that the incident began in June 2025 when the suspect offered a partnership to the victim for coffee sales, citing the need for coffee roasting for the Pagar Alam City Government.
“The suspect claimed to have direct permission from the Mayor and promised a payment system every two weeks. The victim, who believed her, then sent large quantities of coffee in stages, totalling dozens of tonnes,” he stated.
In the initial stage, payments were made albeit not on time. However, as time progressed, payments began to be delayed. The suspect cited budget delays and audits from the Financial Audit Board (BPK).
“The suspect also once showed a letter in the name of the Pagar Alam City Government. After verification, the letter was found to be untrue or fake,” he revealed.
The investigation results revealed that the victim’s coffee was not used for government needs but was instead resold to several coffee warehouses in the Pagar Alam City area.
As a result of the incident, the victim suffered losses of Rp4,030,000,000.
Police then secured the suspect on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, around 14:00 WIB, in the Criminal Unit room of Satreskrim at Pagar Alam Police Resort when she complied with the investigator’s summons.
“From the examination of witnesses and evidence, the suspect’s actions fulfil the elements of the criminal offence as stipulated in Article 492 and/or Article 486 of the Criminal Code,” emphasised Iptu Mansyur.