Modus Operandi of 672 Suspects in Illegal Fuel-LPG Case: Collaboration with SPBU Staff to Using Fake Plates

Jakarta, VIVA – The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) has revealed the modus operandi of 672 suspects involved in cases of illegal BBM or LPG throughout Indonesia from 2025 to 2026.

Dittipidter of Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Pol Moh. Irhamni, stated that the perpetrators in the criminal acts of misusing subsidised BBM and LPG repeatedly purchase diesel fuel and hoard it. Subsequently, it is sold at a higher price.

“The main modus operandi relates to subsidised BBM, first by repeatedly purchasing subsidised diesel fuel from several petrol stations (SPBU), then storing or hoarding it at depots, and reselling it to consumers for industrial purposes at a higher price,” said Irhamni at the Bhayangkara Field at National Police Headquarters, Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

The second modus used by the perpetrators is to modify truck tanks to increase their capacity.

“Then the perpetrators purchase subsidised BBM using modified trucks with larger storage tanks, hoard it at a location, and sell it as non-subsidised diesel,” explained Irhamni.

Additionally, the modus used by the perpetrators involves purchasing subsidised BBM using fake licence plates to switch barcodes, thereby circumventing the monitoring or security systems implemented by Pertamina.

“Then collaborating with rogue petrol station (SPBU) staff to obtain subsidised BBM quotas; this is commonly done by perpetrators who often collaborate with on-site SPBU staff,” he added.

Furthermore, in the misuse of subsidised LPG, the perpetrators transfer the contents of 3-kilogramme LPG cylinders to 12-kilogramme and 50-kilogramme cylinders and sell them as non-subsidised LPG, which is cheaper and appealing to the public.

For their actions, the perpetrators are charged under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Earth Gas as amended by Article 40 paragraph 9 of Law No. 6 of 2023 on the stipulation of Government Regulation in lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into Law, with a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp60 billion.

“The investigators will also apply money laundering articles (TPPU), whereby with these money laundering articles, it is hoped that investigators can pursue all proceeds of crime, whether placed, spent, or deposited in banks, especially in banks where it will be easier,” he emphasised.