Makassar Teenager Fakes Own Kidnapping, Demands Rp5 Million Ransom

A teenage girl with the initials LR (16) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, staged her own kidnapping and demanded a ransom of Rp5 million. Manggala Police Chief Kompol Semuel To’longan confirmed the incident, stating that the case has been handed over to the South Sulawesi Police’s Directorate of Women and Children Protection (PPA/PPO) for further handling. The case began when LR left home and entrusted her key to her aunt, claiming she was going out. When she did not return for hours, her family panicked. At the same time, the family received a text message claiming LR had been kidnapped. Shortly after, they received a voice note featuring LR crying and saying the kidnappers were demanding a Rp5 million ransom. Worried, the aunt reported the incident via the police emergency service 110. Following the report, Manggala Police personnel immediately conducted an investigation to track down the victim. Officers eventually found LR, who had claimed to be kidnapped, at the Topaz Hotel. After being questioned, the teenager admitted she had lied and that the entire kidnapping story was a fabrication. According to Kompol Semuel, the motive behind the hoax was family issues. LR confessed that she was often scolded at home and wanted to live with her biological sibling, as the siblings were separated after their parents passed away. After being found safe, the case was handed over to the South Sulawesi Police’s Directorate of Women and Children Protection for further investigation.