Nigerian faces two years for cash fraud

JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta District Court was asked on Thursday to sentence a Nigerian to two years in jail for possessing and selling fake U.S. dollar notes with a face value of US$300.

Prosecutor Adil Wahyu said the defendant, identified as E. Chukwu, 28, was arrested on March 11 at a money changer on Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta.

"The defendant tried to run away after failing to sell the notes to one of the money changer's tellers, but was arrested by a police officer, who happened to be on duty in the area during the General Assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly," Adil said.

The teller became suspicious after the defendant's US$100 bill failed to pass the detector, Adil said, adding that another US$100 bill also failed the test.

He said the teller later asked for help from the money changer's security guards to check the cash, but the defendant ran off.

Chukwu reportedly told the police during questioning that he bought the money from an Indonesian trader in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, a week before his arrest.

Chukwu said that he bought the money at a rate of Rp 9,000 per dollar and planned to sell it for Rp 14,000 per dollar.

"The prosecution is too severe. It's actually me who suffered losses. It's an accident for me," Chukwu, who claimed to be a garment trader, said on Thursday.

He claimed he was not aware that the money was fake.

Adil said the defendant was guilty of violating Article 245 of the Criminal Code.

The article carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison.

Presiding judge Zulkifli Lubis adjourned the trial until next week to hear the defense statement from the defendant's lawyer Liston Sibarani. (jun)