Man Arrested for Rape of Student in Kulon Progo Using Modelling Job Ruse

Police arrested a 20-year-old unemployed man with initials ZAA from Purworejo who is suspected of threatening and raping a female student in Kulon Progo. The perpetrator used a ploy of posing as someone offering work as a fashion model.

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit at Kulon Progo Police, Iptu Subihan Afuan Ardhi, stated the incident occurred on Sunday, 8 March. The location was a lodging house in the Glagah area of Temon, Kulon Progo.

“The case involves threats and sexual assault that occurred on Sunday, 8 March 2026. The crime scene was at a lodging house in Glagah, Temon, Kulon Progo,” said Subihan during a case briefing at Kulon Progo Police Headquarters on Monday, 16 March 2026.

Subihan explained that the incident began with a victim’s report. Initially, the victim and perpetrator became acquainted through a Telegram application, and their communication subsequently became increasingly intense.

Through this communication, the suspect offered part-time work to the victim as a model for clothing at a store owned by his mother. As a condition, the victim had to agree to send a video wearing only underwear.

“Then, as a condition, the perpetrator asked the victim to send a naked video as a requirement to see the victim’s body shape to determine whether she met the criteria to be a gamis dress model,” he explained.

The perpetrator employed all manner of persuasion. Eventually, the victim relented and complied with the perpetrator’s request. However, after the video was sent, it was used to threaten the victim.

“After the victim was persuaded and the perpetrator obtained the victim’s naked video, he used it to threaten the victim into engaging in sexual relations,” he explained.

The perpetrator then invited the victim to check into a lodging house. The perpetrator also enticed the victim with cash and promised to delete the video stored on his phone.

“The suspect invited the victim to check in by promising to give an ATM card with 10 million rupiah and the victim could delete her video. Because the victim feared the video and photos would spread, she complied with all the suspect’s demands,” he said.

The case was subsequently reported to police. Shortly thereafter, the perpetrator was apprehended by officers. Evidence secured in the case included 73 printed screenshots of conversations, a flash drive, clothing, a vehicle, and a mobile phone.

For his actions, the suspect was charged under Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Offences. He faces charges under Article 6 subsection b or c with a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.

Additionally, the suspect was also charged under Article 14 paragraph 2 subsection a or b relating to transmitting electronic documents containing sexual content to threaten or deceive someone, with a maximum prison sentence of 6 years.

Suspect Suspected of Breast-Grabbing Robberies

During investigation, it emerged that the suspect committed other sexual assault acts, namely extortion involving grabbing or assaulting the breasts of motorcycle riders in the Kulon Progo area recently.

“Other incidents committed by suspect ZAA involve sexual assault in the form of squeezing or assaulting the breasts of motorcycle riders in the Kulon Progo area,” he said.

These acts allegedly occurred at approximately six different locations in Kulon Progo in recent times. Police said the acts were committed randomly against women the perpetrator encountered on the road.

“There were viral incidents in Kulon Progo that occurred at approximately six different crime scenes in Kulon Progo,” he said.

“He would circle around looking for targets, then turn around, press up against the victim, then commit the act and flee,” he continued.

Subihan confirmed that in the breast-grabbing assault case, police have received reports from victims. The perpetrator will subsequently be charged under separate articles.

“Victims have already filed complaints at Kulon Progo Police, so this sexual assault case will also be processed separately,” he affirmed.