Marwah WO Couple Scams Dozens with 'Dig Hole, Fill Hole' Scheme

Police have uncovered the motive behind the alleged fraud committed by a married couple running Marwah Wedding Organiser (WO) in East Jakarta, who employed a ‘dig hole, fill hole’ scheme by using funds from new clients. “The funds obtained from new clients were used to organise other clients’ wedding events, effectively operating a ‘dig hole, fill hole’ system,” said East Jakarta Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Bayu Kurniawan at the police station on Monday. The scheme was uncovered after investigators questioned the couple, identified as RM (husband) and ER (wife), who were named suspects in the case. According to Bayu, the funds paid by couples were not fully allocated for their intended events. Instead, they were diverted to cover previous commitments to other clients. “The motive, based on our investigations, is that the suspects reused victims’ funds to cover prior wedding events,” Bayu explained. This pattern made the WO’s finances dependent on new client payments. When incoming funds could no longer cover escalating event costs, financial issues arose, affecting the execution of several weddings. Investigators suspect this financial management pattern persisted over time, prompting complaints from affected couples. Some victims reported paying most or all of their wedding costs, but the promised services were not delivered as agreed. Following the victims’ reports, East Jakarta Metropolitan Police conducted investigations, leading to RM and ER being named suspects and legal proceedings. Investigators are currently tracing the misuse of victims’ funds and exploring potential additional victims. Police are also gathering evidence on the flow of funds allegedly used to cover operational costs and other wedding events.