Labuan Bajo Travel Agency Boss Scams Foreign Tourists Out of Rp 85 Million for Online Gambling
The owner of the travel agency “Labuan Bajo Top” has been arrested by police and designated as a suspect in the fraud and embezzlement of Rp 85.2 million from foreign tourists. The victims are a group of tourists from Malaysia and Singapore.
The suspect, named Kristoforus Aman alias Itok Aman (32), previously referred to by the initials KA, used the proceeds from the scam for online gambling and to purchase daily necessities such as cigarettes and fuel.
“The money sent by the Malaysian travel agency was used by KA for online gambling as well as for buying daily necessities, food, drinks, cigarettes, petrol, and so on,” revealed Ipda Nikolaus Nikson Bunganen, the Head of Criminal Investigation at the Manggarai Barat Police Resort, on Tuesday (12/5/2026).
Niko explained that the tourists did not communicate directly with KA when purchasing the Komodo National Park tour package. Communication with KA was conducted through a Malaysian travel agency named Trip Adikberadik.
“Communication was via WhatsApp messages. The tourists never communicated directly with KA because they also used the services of the Malaysian travel agency,” clarified Niko.
He stated that Itok Aman had previously sold tour packages to the Malaysian travel agency in 2025, and there were no issues at that time. Therefore, the Trip Adikberadik agency again used Itok Aman’s services this year for the trip of the Malaysian and Singaporean tourist group. However, they ultimately became victims of the scam.
“In 2025, KA had already sold tour packages to the Malaysian travel agency, Trip Adikberadik, and everything went smoothly without problems, so there was trust from that travel agency towards KA,” said Niko.
“Therefore, in March 2026, the Trip Adikberadik travel agency contacted KA again to purchase the same tour package as in 2025,” he added.
Previously reported, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Manggarai Barat Police Resort designated KA as a suspect. This man from Rana Mbeling, North Kota Komba Subdistrict, East Manggarai, is now detained in the holding cell of the Manggarai Barat Police Resort since 9 May 2026.
The Head of Criminal Investigation at the Manggarai Barat Police Resort, AKP Lufthi Darmawan Aditya, revealed that the case began when the victim, initials SS (34), a private sector employee from Malaysia, represented his group in transacting with KA’s travel agency from March to May 2026.
The Rp 85.2 million was deposited for a premium tour package, including the charter of the MY MOON boat for 4 days and 3 nights, as well as entry fees to Komodo National Park. However, the tourist group faced a bitter reality upon arriving in Labuan Bajo on Thursday (7/5/2026).
The tourist group consisted of 8 adults and 2 children. Instead of staying at the booked Hotel Flamingo Avia, the group was taken to Hotel Green Perundi. The tour boat operators also failed to provide confirmation because they had not received payment from KA.
“The victims had paid in full for the desired hotel, but upon arrival here, they were taken to a hotel that did not match the agreement. The suspect was also very difficult to contact when the victims needed clarification,” explained Lufthi.