South Sumatra Police Uncover Fake Bhayangkara Run 2026 Website Syndicate
The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of the South Sumatra Regional Police has uncovered a digital fraud syndicate operating a fake registration website for the Sumsel Bhayangkara Run 2026. The case was revealed after investigators from Sub-Directorate V for Cybercrime arrested two suspects believed to be the main perpetrators. Both individuals are repeat offenders previously convicted of motor vehicle theft and are suspected of employing similar tactics at various running events in other regions.
Deputy Director of Special Criminal Investigation for the South Sumatra Police, AKBP Listyono Dwi Nugroho, stated that the successful exposure of the case was the result of a swift response by investigators after receiving a report from the official event organiser. “Upon receiving information about the fake registration website, investigators immediately conducted intensive digital tracing, electronic transaction analysis, and cross-regional coordination. These rapid steps successfully identified and led to the arrest of the two perpetrators, thereby minimising potential victims and public losses,” AKBP Listyono said in a written statement on Thursday.
The case began when the official event organiser for Sumsel Bhayangkara Run 2026 received reports of an unofficial registration link circulating on 30 May 2026, even though official registration was only scheduled to open on 2 June 2026. A suspect with the initials MF created the fake website using an online form platform, misappropriating the official Sumsel Bhayangkara Run 2026 pamphlet design to make the site appear legitimate. To profit, MF embedded a QRIS payment code on the fake website, directing registration fee payments to a prepared account. Meanwhile, another suspect, FC, was tasked with disseminating the fraudulent link via social media by replying to public comments seeking official registration information.
Based on the digital investigation, the cybercrime team tracked the suspects to Pekanbaru City, Riau Province. On 8 and 9 July 2026, both suspects were arrested in Palas Village, Rumbai District. During the operation, officers seized three mobile phones of various brands and a digital wallet merchant account under the name Ahmad Fawzi, allegedly used to facilitate the crime.
The suspects are charged under Article 35 of Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to Law Number 11 of 2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions. They face a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and a fine of up to IDR 5 billion.
Head of Public Relations for the South Sumatra Police, Commissioner Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, emphasised that the force will take firm action against any form of cybercrime that harms the public and undermines trust in national events. “This case demonstrates that the digital space must not be used as a means to commit criminal acts. The South Sumatra Police are committed to protecting the public through professional, transparent, and fair law enforcement,” he said. He also urged the public to always verify registration information and links exclusively through official organiser channels and to avoid making payments to unaccountable parties. Investigators are currently continuing to develop the case to uncover any other networks potentially involved in the crime.