Mourner disguise: Woman steals condolence money in East Jakarta
Jakarta — A woman is suspected of stealing condolence money by posing as a mourner at a funeral home in the Kramat Jati area of East Jakarta (Jaktim). The incident befell Nyai Hasanah’s family, 45, on Monday (2 March) at about 12:30 WIB.
‘Yes, the perpetrator is a woman. She claimed she was coming to pay respects to someone we know, and the condolence money vanished, all of it,’ Hasanah told reporters at the scene on Wednesday.
Hasanah said the suspect arrived in the morning when the house was quiet and mourners had not yet gathered. Her mother-in-law had died around 04:00 WIB, and the suspect arrived about 08:00 WIB.
‘People hadn’t arrived yet; she had already come. Wearing a neat shirt, trousers, a headscarf, shoes—very neat. Not suspicious at all. She also carried a large bag,’ she said.
To the family, the woman claimed to be a friend of the sister-in-law and described herself as a ‘fellow struggler’ when taking social aid such as basic food packages and KJP (Jakarta Smart Card).
Because she felt the offender knew the family, Hasanah did not suspect a thing. Eventually, the perpetrator launched her act with the excuse that she needed to use the toilet.
‘Then she said she had been holding her pee. I told her to go inside, even though it was a bit chaotic. I trusted her because she claimed to know the family,’ she said.
The toilet is near the cabinet used to store condolence money, which provided a loophole for the offender. The condolence money, previously collected in a plastic bag and kept in a hallway cabinet, disappeared.
‘When she came out, I realised she had gone. I went in—the cabinet was open, and the bag containing the condolence money was missing,’ Hasanah said.
Police have attended the scene to take statements. Hasanah said all the condolence money collected had been taken.
According to residents, similar cases occurred two to three years ago with similar characteristics to the suspect. However, it has not been confirmed whether the perpetrator is the same person.
To date, the woman’s identity is unknown; none of the nearby residents recognise her. The family hopes the offender will be caught soon so that similar incidents do not recur amid the bereavement of other residents.
The incident went viral on Instagram @info_cipayung. CCTV footage shows the offender running out after carrying out the act at the funeral home on Jalan Dukuh IV, Kampung Dukuh, Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, Monday (2 March).
The suspect is also claimed to have carried out similar acts at several places, such as Jalan Damai Lubang Buaya on 22 December 2025 and Jalan Bambu Kuning, Bambu Apus, on 4 February 2026.