Man in East Jakarta Apprehended by Mob After Allegedly Buying Motorcycle with Counterfeit Money

A young man was secured by residents after allegedly buying a motorcycle using counterfeit money in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. The perpetrator has been detained at the Duren Sawit Police Station for intensive examination. “We have secured him, and a maximum investigation is underway,” said Duren Sawit Police Chief, Kompol Sutikno, on Friday (12/6/2026).

The counterfeit money allegedly used by the perpetrator amounted to Rp 12 million. At the time, the perpetrator was detained by residents on Jalan Pahlawan Revolusi, Pondok Bambu, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. “He was supposedly buying a motorcycle via cash on delivery. After the money was checked, it turned out to be suspected counterfeit money. The victim immediately gave chase, and the perpetrator was successfully detained by residents before eventually being taken by the police,” said a Duren Sawit resident, Atikah, as quoted by Antara.

The perpetrator, whose identity is not yet known, allegedly bought a motorcycle via cash on delivery. In the transaction, the perpetrator handed over cash to the seller as payment for the vehicle. However, upon inspection, the money used by the perpetrator was suspected to be counterfeit, with a total value of Rp 12 million in Rp 50,000 denominations. Realising he had been the victim of fraud, the motorcycle owner immediately attempted to pursue the perpetrator.

The chase attracted the attention of nearby residents, who then helped to detain the perpetrator. Shortly after being secured, the perpetrator became the target of the residents’ anger over his actions. The situation at the location became tense as many residents gathered and tried to vent their emotions on the perpetrator. Police promptly arrived at the scene and took swift action to prevent vigilante justice.

Officers arriving at the location appeared to be trying to calm the residents while securing the perpetrator from the crowd. After the situation was brought under control, the perpetrator along with the evidence was immediately taken to the Duren Sawit Police Station for further examination. The crowd of residents thronging the scene caused traffic flow to become congested. Traffic jams were reported on the Jalan Pahlawan Revolusi stretch, especially from the Klender direction towards Kalimalang, as many motorists slowed down to observe the incident.

Meanwhile, officers secured evidence in the form of suspected counterfeit money worth Rp 12 million in Rp 50,000 denominations. Police are still conducting an investigation to ascertain the origin of the money and the possible involvement of other parties in this case.