Six Debt Collectors in Semarang Arrested for Intimidation and Violence

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG – The Central Java Police (Jateng) have arrested six debt collectors who allegedly terrorised and intimidated a car rental customer in the city of Semarang. During the investigation, it was revealed that the debt collectors had targeted the wrong vehicle.

The Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Central Java Police, Commissioner Anwar Nasir, stated that the victim of the intimidation was Arnita Devi, a resident of Jepara, Central Java. He said that on February 7, 2026, Arnita and four of her female friends rented a black Toyota Avanza to travel to the Ungaran area, Semarang Regency.

“When the vehicle driven by Arnita Devi was about to enter the Kaligawe Toll Gate in Semarang, the situation, which had initially been normal, suddenly turned tense. The vehicle was suddenly blocked and forcibly stopped by six perpetrators,” said Anwar during a press conference at the Central Java Police Headquarters on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).

Anwar added that after Arnita’s car stopped, the perpetrators approached and stated that they were from a leasing company. According to Anwar, the perpetrators’ tone was intimidating at that moment.

This caused the victim to only dare to open the car window slightly. In a video that went viral on social media and was also shown during the press conference at the Central Java Police Headquarters, Arnita stated that the car she was driving was a rental.

“The situation then became more heated when the perpetrators forcibly put their hands through the window gap with the intention of seizing the car keys, which were still in the ignition. The victim, who realised the debt collectors’ intentions, tried to hold on to the keys with all her might,” said Anwar.

In the video, Arnita and her friends can be seen screaming hysterically. However, the perpetrators ignored this. The situation lasted for about five minutes. Eventually, the debt collectors managed to open the hood of the victim’s car.

“However, based on the inspection, the identity of the vehicle driven by the victim turned out to be different from the identity listed on the power of attorney they received,” said Anwar.