Klungkung Man Arrested After Using Counterfeit Notes at Buleleng Shop
A man with the initials MGRH was arrested by the Buleleng Police after spending counterfeit Rp 100,000 notes at a shop in Sinabun Village, Sawan District, Buleleng, Bali. The perpetrator operated by purchasing inexpensive goods to receive genuine change in return.
Buleleng Police Chief AKBP Ruzi Guzman revealed that the suspect deliberately targeted small shops that lack counterfeit money detection tools. The modus operandi involved buying daily necessities worth between Rp 15,000 and Rp 17,000 using the fake notes. “The goal was to receive genuine change. On average, one counterfeit note could yield a profit of Rp 65,000 to Rp 70,000,” said Ruzi.
Ruzi stated that the suspect, originally from Semarapura Kelod, Klungkung, had been carrying out these actions for approximately one year. During interrogation, MGRH admitted to circulating the counterfeit money due to economic hardship. Before arriving in Buleleng, the suspect had reportedly performed similar actions in other parts of Bali, including Gianyar, Tabanan, and Jembrana.
According to the police, the suspect had only been operating in Buleleng for three days, having moved to the Sawan area on 29 May. The primary targets were micro-enterprises and small stalls vulnerable to counterfeit notes, particularly during nighttime transactions. With approximately Rp 13 million in counterfeit notes in his possession, the suspect would logically need to visit around 130 different shops to exhaust the supply.
The case came to light after MGRH purchased tissue and instant noodles at a shop in Banjar Dinas Tengah, Sinabun Village. The shop owner’s child became suspicious of the texture and appearance of the banknote and reported the matter to the police. Officers arrived at the scene and immediately detained MGRH.
Buleleng Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Alberto Diovant stated that a subsequent search uncovered approximately Rp 12 million in counterfeit currency, consisting of 150 pieces of Rp 100,000 notes. Police also seized a motorcycle, vehicle registration documents (BPKB), a mobile phone, the purchased goods, and evidence of transfers allegedly related to the purchase of the counterfeit money.
Investigations revealed that MGRH obtained the counterfeit notes by ordering them online, paying Rp 100,000 for five pieces of Rp 100,000 counterfeit notes, a one-to-five ratio. The suspect faces charges under Article 375 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code for possessing counterfeit money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, and Article 375 paragraph (2) for circulating counterfeit money, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. Police are currently hunting for the supplier who allegedly distributed the notes via digital platforms.