Police End Fraud Scheme Involving Liberian Nationals Using Black Dollar Modus Operandi
Police have foiled a fraud operation involving two foreign nationals from Liberia, initials SDT and I, who were engaged in counterfeiting scams using the black dollar modus operandi.
The pair were arrested in an apartment in the Kembangan area of West Jakarta on Wednesday (18/3/2026). SDT and I were apprehended by the Satreskrim unit of the Metro Jakarta Barat Police while eating in a room within the apartment building.
“Indeed, two Liberian suspects were secured in an apartment in Meruya, Kembangan, West Jakarta, for a fraud using the black dollar modus,” stated Kompol Andaru Rahutomo, Head of the Public Information Sub-section of the Metro Jaya Police Public Relations Division, to reporters on Thursday (26/3).
In footage viewed, officers showed the arrest warrant to the pair. They then instructed them to raise their hands for a body search.
At the scene, officers secured a suitcase containing a bundle wrapped in brown paper, suspected to hold black dollar liquid. The two Liberian nationals were subsequently taken to the Metro Jakarta Barat Police station for further questioning.
Andaru noted that the two Liberians are currently being examined by the Satreskrim unit of the Metro Jakarta Barat Police.
“Currently, both suspects are under investigation by the Satreskrim of Jakbar Police,” he explained.
Targeting a South Korean National
Police are still investigating the counterfeit money fraud case using the black dollar modus. It has been revealed that the victim is also a foreign national from South Korea.
“The individuals were secured for committing fraud against another foreign national from South Korea using the black dollar modus,” said Kompol Andaru to reporters on Friday (27/3/2026).
According to the victim’s report, the incident occurred between September and December 2025. However, the victim only realised they had been scammed on 8 March 2026 and filed a police report with the Metro Jakarta Barat Police.
Both Liberian nationals have now been designated as suspects and are being held at the Metro Jakarta Barat Police station.
“The losses are still being calculated. Whether this continued in stages, it’s still being assessed by the Metro Jakarta Barat Police,” he said.
Seizure of Safes and Liquids
Police seized several items of evidence from the Liberian foreign nationals. This included liquids used to create black dollars.
“There is one suitcase of liquid, which according to the suspects is used as a tool to deceive the victim, claiming it can change black dollar paper into genuine dollars,” said Kompol Andaru Rahutomo to reporters on Friday (27/3/2026).
Additionally, police seized a safe, though its contents are not yet known. These items of evidence have been secured by the Satreskrim unit of the Metro Jakarta Barat Police.
“Several suitcases containing the fraud tools were secured, as well as some safes also secured as fraud instruments,” he clarified.
According to the official CBP website, black dollars or black money notes resemble US currency in size and sometimes feel similar when handled. However, under ultraviolet light, they appear as black, blue, or white paper.
In black money scams, perpetrators often fabricate stories about the money’s colour changing due to chemicals to evade detection by customs authorities. They then offer the black dollars to victims at a discount, claiming a need for cash. The scammers explain how the victim can ‘wash’ the paper to reveal genuine US currency. Typically, they mix real money with the black notes to convince the victim. The black paper is counterfeit money.