Marwah Wedding Organiser Fraud: Building Subsidies and Free Roasted Lamb Used as Lures

Police have disclosed new facts regarding the alleged fraud committed by a husband and wife who owned the Marwah wedding organiser (WO) in East Jakarta. The Head of Criminal Investigation at the East Jakarta Metro Police, AKBP Bayu Kurniawan, revealed that investigations show the two suspects frequently offered promotions to entice victims.

“The promotions included, for example, providing a subsidy of 20 million IDR for venue rentals, as well as a promotion featuring a free roasted lamb,” Bayu stated on Tuesday (2/6). These promotions were the primary reason many prospective brides and grooms were interested in using Marwah’s services.

According to preliminary data, police have recorded at least 58 victims of the Marwah wedding organiser, with total losses estimated to reach Rp2.6 billion. Bayu also revealed that examinations showed the suspects were employing a ‘digging a hole to fill a hole’ scheme, where money paid by new victims was used to cover the costs of previous wedding ceremonies.

“The money from these victims was being rotated by the suspects to cover previous wedding activities. Therefore, funds obtained from one client were used to organise the weddings of other clients. In essence, they were using a Ponzi scheme,” he explained.

Previously, police arrested the husband and wife owners of Marwah Catering in East Jakarta in connection with the alleged fraud. Both individuals have been named suspects and are currently in custody. They face charges under Article 492 of the Criminal Code regarding fraudulent acts and Article 486 of the Criminal Code regarding embezzlement.

“The perpetrators, the husband RM and wife ER, have been designated as suspects,” said the Chief of East Jakarta Metro Police, Kombes Alfian Nurrizal, to reporters on Sunday (31/5).