Investigators Urged to Probe Possible Crypto Assets in Febrie Adriansyah Case

Investigators have been urged to look into the possibility that assets belonging to former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah were disguised through investment instruments, including cryptocurrency, in connection with a money laundering case. Academic and criminal law expert Abdul Fickar Hadjar stated that such an investigation is crucial to uncover evidence, including electronic goods seized from a café in Cipete, South Jakarta. He noted it is suspected that Febrie may have stored passwords for cryptocurrency wallets, although he stressed this remains an allegation that must be proven through the investigation process. According to Hadjar, individuals seeking to conceal illicit assets typically use third parties to hold them. He suggested Febrie likely relied on associates, including alumni networks, to harbour the proceeds. Hadjar assessed that Febrie possesses a strong understanding of financial transaction tracing systems and would be aware that placing funds in official financial institutions like banks would make them easily traceable by the Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK). He questioned why evidence was found in a café not officially linked to the suspect, arguing it would be impossible unless there was a connection. The possibility that proceeds of crime were channelled into crypto assets remains open and must be thoroughly investigated, he added, noting that individuals charged with money laundering typically attempt to disguise the origins of illicitly obtained wealth.