Online Brompton Bicycle Fraud Scheme Leaves Sleman Pensioner Hundreds of Millions Rupiah in Debt

A retired civil servant from Triharjo, Sleman, Eko Suhargono, aged 62, has been defrauded of hundreds of millions of rupiah through an online Brompton folding bicycle buying and selling scheme. The victim fell prey to the scam because the perpetrator posed as an old acquaintance.

Initially, Eko was contacted via WhatsApp by someone claiming to be an old friend. Eko was not suspicious as he felt confident about the perpetrator’s identity.

“I believed it because the person claimed to be an old friend and the photo also appeared convincing,” Eko said when contacted on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

At that time, Eko was offered a business opportunity in buying and selling Brompton folding bicycles. He was asked to negotiate prices with prospective buyers. However, unexpectedly, it was he who ended up sending money for various reasons.

“Initially I was only asked to help negotiate the bicycle sale, but gradually I was asked to transfer money for various reasons,” he stated.

Eko lost 279.2 million rupiah from his pension savings in instalments. The money was sent to several bank accounts: 115 million rupiah to a BPD DIY account in the name of Sugianto, and 40 million rupiah to a BRI account in the name of Ricky Juniardi for invoicing fees.

Additionally, the victim sent 79.2 million rupiah to a BRI account in the name of Rusman Siregar, which was claimed to be for VAT payment. The remaining 50 million rupiah was sent for administrative fees.

“After I sent the money, communication became difficult. I tried to confirm with several parties and discovered that the name used had been deceased for a long time. That is when I realised this was fraud,” he revealed.

Eko is deeply distressed as the hundreds of millions of rupiah that disappeared were his pension savings.

“That money was my pension savings. My hope is that the police can trace the accounts used and the perpetrator is prosecuted under the law,” he said.

The case has been reported to Sleman Police (Polresta Sleman) with Report Receipt Notice (STPL) Number LP/B/149/II/2026/SPKT/Polresta Sleman/Polda DIY dated 24 February 2026. “Yes, we received the report on Tuesday afternoon and it is currently under investigation,” said Salamun when contacted by a journalist on Thursday (26 February).