Modus Operandi of Forgery Syndicate in Siak Revealed: Modifying Stolen Driving Licences
The Siak Police have uncovered a new modus operandi used by a driving licence (SIM) forgery syndicate that utilises stolen old SIM cards within the Riau Province. In their operations, the perpetrators erased the original identities on the old cards and applied new printed stickers containing altered data and barcodes.
“In practice, this syndicate uses old driving licences obtained through theft, then they change the original data on the licence to match the requester’s data,” stated Siak Police Chief AKBP Sepuh Ade Irsyam Siregar in a statement on Wednesday (16/09/2026).
Sepuh noted that the perpetrators offered driving licence services via WhatsApp, Facebook Marketplace, and intermediaries, with fees ranging from Rp550,000 to Rp1.7 million. The method required requesters to submit photos and their national ID cards (KTP).
“The perpetrators then edited the identity using mobile phone applications and created barcodes that display the licence holder’s data along with the Korlantas Polri logo,” he explained.
Subsequently, the requester’s data was printed on transparent stickers using colour printers and then adhered to the old driving licences after the previous owner’s identity had been erased.
“The cards were then traded among network members before the old owner’s identity was removed and replaced with the requester’s identity,” he added.
Eight Suspects Arrested
In this case, the Siak Police have arrested eight suspects. Currently, the Siak Police are pursuing two other perpetrators, identified as R and F, who remain at large.
The list of the eight suspects and their respective roles is as follows:
SWL, alias Nia (30): Acted as a promoter seeking clients, collecting KTP and photos, and profiting from the forged licences.
RNF, alias Boek (20): Acted as a promoter, collecting KTP and photos, and profiting from the fees.
AY, alias Ibul (34): Acted as a promoter, collecting KTP and photos, providing blank/old licence cards, printing, and profiting from the fees.
H, alias Ucok (29): Provided/sold blank/old licence cards (having sold 50 cards in August 2026 alone).
HS, alias Rido (28): Acted as a promoter, collecting KTP and photos, providing blank/old licence cards, printing, and profiting from the fees.
MAP, alias Ayang (27): Acted as a promoter, collecting KTP and photos, providing blank/old licence cards, editing, creating barcodes, printing, and profiting from the fees.
TR, alias Tia (27): Assisted MAP (Ayang) and received profits from the forged licence fees.
A, alias Agus (43): Sold blank/old licence cards to HA (Ucok), Marcheel (MAP), and Rizki (DPO) at prices of Rp100,000 to Rp120,000 per card to be recycled into forged licences for distribution across various regions.
For their actions, the suspects face charges under Article 391 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code (KUHP).