Marwah Wedding Organizer Owner Previously Jailed for Fraud Case Targeting Brides-to-Be
Police have arrested a married couple, identified as RM and ER, owners of a wedding organizer (WO) in East Jakarta who scammed dozens of brides-to-be. Authorities revealed that ER, the wife, is a repeat offender for similar crimes previously committed in West Java.
“From our investigation, it was found that suspect ER (the wife) is a repeat offender for similar criminal acts in West Java,” said AKBP Bayu Kurniawan, head of the East Jakarta Police’s criminal investigation unit, on 1 June 2026.
The repeat offender status was confirmed after investigators thoroughly examined the Marwah WO couple. RM and ER were arrested after attempting to evade police following public attention on the case.
“It is true that the two suspects in the Marwah Wedding Organizer fraud case were arrested on Friday, 29 May 2026, at a rental house in Cililin, West Bandung Regency, West Java,” Bayu explained.
He added that after the case gained traction on social media and was reported by various outlets, the suspects allegedly tried to flee and hide to avoid legal proceedings.
“Indeed, following the widespread social media coverage yesterday, the suspects attempted to flee and hide. We conducted a search and, praise be to God, were able to locate and apprehend them in Cililin,” Bayu said.
58 Brides-to-Be Among Victims
Previously, rumours circulated that the suspects planned to flee abroad, but police have found no evidence of this. Preliminary records indicate at least 58 Marwah WO clients were victimised, with estimated losses of Rp2.6 billion.
“We are continuing our investigation and不排除 there may be additional victims,” Bayu said.
Victims had paid for various wedding packages promised by Marwah WO, but the services were not delivered as promised, causing significant losses for the brides-to-be.
They face charges under Article 492 of the Criminal Code for fraud and Article 486 for embezzlement, each carrying a maximum four-year prison sentence.
Police confirmed that, as of now, the suspects are limited to the married couple. Investigators have not found evidence of others’ involvement in the management or alleged crimes of Marwah WO.
Investigators are still welcoming additional victims to come forward, with police suspecting the number of victims and total losses may increase as the investigation progresses.