Metro Police Seize 12,000 Fake Banknotes from Bogor Shaman

Police have seized thousands of counterfeit banknotes ready for circulation in a case uncovered in the Bogor area, West Java. The evidence was secured from the hands of the suspect with initials MP alias Mahfud, aged 39, who operated a scam under the guise of a money-doubling shaman. Deputy Director of Special Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Regional Police, AKBP Martuasah Hermindo Tobing, revealed that the total counterfeit notes seized amounted to 12,191 sheets of Rp100,000 denomination. All evidence was apprehended on 30 March 2026. “The seized counterfeit notes consist of 6,450 double-sided prints and 5,741 single-sided prints. In addition, we found 65 uncut counterfeit sheets,” Martuasah explained during a press conference on Wednesday (1/4). In addition to the stacks of fake notes, police also confiscated various equipment used by Mahfud to produce the sheets. Notably, the perpetrator used genuine notes as masters for copying. “We seized two mobile phones, two printers, and 8 genuine Rp100,000 master notes used as references for making the counterfeits,” he added. Officers also secured other supporting equipment, including: The suspect MP along with all evidence is now detained at Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation. For his actions, the perpetrator is charged with multiple articles related to fraud and currency counterfeiting, facing a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. The police once again remind the public to be vigilant against all forms of unrealistic money-doubling offers, especially those involving rituals or shamanic practices.