Police Arrest Three Debt Collectors for Extorting Motorcyclist in Tangerang

Police have arrested three people working as third-party debt collectors, also known as ‘mata elang’ (matel), in connection with the alleged extortion of a student from an Islamic boarding school on Jalan Raya Serang Km 17.5, Talaga Village, Cikupa District, Tangerang Regency, Banten.

Head of Criminal Investigation at Tangerang Police, Kompol Septa Badoyo, said the incident occurred on Thursday, 13 August. At the time, the victim, a student from Pandeglang Regency, was riding a motorcycle.

During the journey, the victim was forcibly stopped by six people suspected of being debt collectors. The victim was then taken to a company office said to be the suspects’ place of work.

‘The victim was forcibly stopped by the debt collectors. The victim was then escorted to the debt collectors’ company office. There, the victim was intimidated and accused of using a stolen motorcycle,’ Septa said on Friday, 21 August.

Septa said the victim was then asked to hand over Rp2.5 million. However, the victim was only able to pay Rp500,000.

‘A negotiation took place, bringing the amount down to Rp500,000. Even then, the victim made two transfers of Rp300,000 and Rp200,000 through an e-wallet account,’ he explained.

After the incident, the victim reported the alleged extortion to Tangerang Police.

Based on the report, police conducted an investigation and arrested three suspects. The three suspects, identified by the initials TB (24), YA (21), and AF (22), were arrested in Panongan and Cikupa, Tangerang Regency.

Meanwhile, three other people suspected of involvement in the incident are still being pursued by police.

‘So far, we are still investigating to locate the other suspected perpetrators. We already have their identity information,’ Septa said.

For their actions, the three suspects are charged under Article 482 of the Criminal Code concerning extortion. They face a maximum sentence of nine years in prison.

‘With a maximum criminal penalty of nine years,’ he said.

Septa stressed that police will take firm action against extortion practices carried out by debt collectors targeting motorists in Tangerang Regency.

Tangerang Police have also activated ‘kring serse’ (crime investigation units) to increase surveillance of people suspected of committing criminal acts in the field.

‘We have also activated the kring serse, meaning that people suspected in the field will undergo initial checks,’ he said.