Two motorcycle theft suspects arrested using fake psychic 'bad luck removal' scam

Police have apprehended two suspects involved in a motorcycle theft scheme in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, who posed as psychics claiming to remove misfortune. The suspects, identified as RAT (60) and AJ (46), used a scam where RAT pretended to be a spiritual healer while AJ impersonated a cured patient.

According to Assistant Commissioner Danang Setiyo Pambudi Sukarno, Deputy Director of the General Criminal Investigation Unit at Jakarta Metropolitan Police, RAT claimed to treat illnesses, while AJ convinced the victim of RAT’s abilities.

The incident began when the victim, identified as I (19), was seated on his motorcycle. RAT approached him under the guise of seeking an address for treatment. During the conversation, RAT handed the victim an object through a handshake.

Shortly after, AJ arrived and affirmed RAT’s supernatural powers. While the victim was riding away, the suspects stopped him and claimed he was followed by bad luck. They used a trick involving a nail hidden under their tongue, pretending it was extracted from the victim’s body as part of a cleansing ritual.

The nail was then wrapped in the victim’s banknotes, and he was instructed to dispose of the package 50 metres away. As the victim walked away, the suspects stole his motorcycle.

Danang stated the motive was economic hardship, with the suspects aiming to seize the victim’s motorcycle. They face charges under Article 477(1)(g) and/or Article 492 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) under Law No. 1 of 2023, carrying potential sentences of up to seven and four years’ imprisonment respectively.