Police highlight key role of pos kamling in solving theft case in East Jakarta
Polda Metro Jaya stated that residents and pos kamling (neighbourhood watch posts) members played an active role in assisting the investigation of a theft case involving fake psychics in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta.
“The resolution of this case is a tangible result of the pos kamling’s function. Through regular discussions and coordination with residents at RW 13 Pos Kamling in Duren Sawit, we received initial information about the incident,” said Deputy Director of the General Criminal Investigation Department Danang Setiyo Pambudi Sukarno in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He added that information from residents was cross-checked with police reports, leading to the identification of the suspects.
Officers then conducted an investigation and arrested two suspects, identified as RAT (60) and AJ (46), in North Jakarta.
Danang explained that RAT posed as a fake psychic claiming to cure illnesses and cleanse bad luck, while AJ pretended to be a previously healed patient to gain the victim’s trust.
The victim, Ilham (19), lost a motorcycle, mobile phone, and a wallet containing identity documents and cash.
The scam began when the suspect approached the victim while he was sitting on his motorcycle. The suspect then engaged him in conversation and employed a deceptive tactic by claiming to remove misfortune.
The victim was instructed to discard a packet of nails supposedly from his body. As he moved away, the two suspects fled with his motorcycle.
Danang noted that the successful arrest was due to the physical descriptions provided by local residents to the officers.
“Thanks to the initial tips and suspect descriptions provided by residents, officers on the ground were able to swiftly apprehend the suspects,” Danang said.
Polda Metro Jaya also urged the public to reactivate neighbourhood security systems to prevent crime in residential areas.
Additionally, citizens are advised to immediately report suspicious activities via the emergency hotline 110 or the nearest police station.
Investigations are ongoing as the suspects are believed to have committed similar offences in other parts of East Jakarta and surrounding areas.
RAT (60) was arrested in Cilincing, North Jakarta, on 23 May 2026, while AJ (46) was detained the following day in Semper, North Jakarta.
The two suspects exploited deception and the victim’s fear to steal his motorcycle and valuables from 19-year-old Ilham.