Man in Labuhanbatu Embezzles Church Funds of Rp 28 Billion, Uses Them to Build Cafe-Mini Zoo

A man with the initials AH boldly embezzled Rp 28 billion in churchgoers’ funds from the Catholic Parish of Aek Nabara in Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra. The man used the money for personal investments, including building a cafe and a mini zoo.

The suspect was arrested upon arriving at Kualanamu Airport on Monday, 30 March 2026, at 09:00 WIB. He was then taken to North Sumatra Police Headquarters for questioning.

“Suspect AH returned to Indonesia voluntarily and was immediately secured upon arrival at Kualanamu Airport on Monday,” said the Director of Special Criminal Investigation at North Sumatra Police, Commissioner Rahmat Budi, as quoted by detikSumut on Monday (30/3/2026).

The modus operandi used by the suspect involved creating a fake investment deposit in the name of one of the red-plate banks. “The suspect created a fake investment deposit and claimed it as an official product. However, it was not an official product,” he explained.

The embezzled money was used for personal investments. “Including investments in a sports centre, cafe, mini zoo, and other businesses,” he clarified.

Several pieces of evidence have been secured, such as fake deposit documents, transaction slips, and other banking documents. In addition, the police will also seize the assets from the suspect’s crimes.

“We will apply for a seizure permit to the court. The assets are known to be in the Labuhanbatu area,” he said.

The total loss in this case amounts to Rp 28 billion. However, according to the suspect’s confession, the embezzled amount does not reach tens of billions.

“What the suspect admits to is only around Rp 7 billion,” he explained.

Fled to Australia Temporarily

It is known that AH and his wife CS temporarily fled to Australia after being reported for the embezzlement of Rp 28 billion in church funds in Aek Nabara, Labuhanbatu. The police then issued a warning to suspect AH to surrender himself.

Eventually, the suspect and his wife returned to Indonesia on Monday (30/3) last. He was immediately secured at Kualanamu Airport and taken to North Sumatra Police Headquarters for questioning.