University Student in Semarang Embezzles 40 Motorcycles for Lavish Lifestyle, Rakes in IDR 135 Million

A student from a state university in Semarang, identified by the initials IM, 23, has been arrested by police after being proven to have embezzled 40 motorcycles. From these criminal acts, the suspect managed to rake in up to IDR 135 million from pawning vehicles belonging to the victims. Based on monitoring by Media Indonesia on Tuesday (9/6), the suspect IM appeared calm while being escorted by officers from the Ngaliyan Police Sector, Semarang. He was arrested at a housing complex in the Kaliwungu area, Kendal Regency, after having disappeared from academic activities for the last three semesters. The Ngaliyan Police Chief, Commissioner Aliet Alphard, revealed that IM’s arrest stemmed from 25 reports from victims who had lost their motorcycles. The suspect carried out his scheme by pretending to rent motorcycles on behalf of others, with rates ranging from IDR 60,000 to IDR 100,000 per 10 days. After obtaining the vehicles along with their Vehicle Registration Certificates (STNK), the suspect immediately pawned them to other parties in the Kendal, Batang, and Demak areas. The pawning prices varied, ranging from IDR 6 million to IDR 12 million per unit. ‘Once the rental period expired, the suspect never returned the motorcycles and disappeared. Currently, we have managed to secure 23 motorcycles as evidence, while two other units are still being sought,’ said Aliet Alphard on Tuesday (9/6). Ironically, the majority of the embezzlement victims were the suspect’s friends and juniors at his campus. Some victims even chose not to report the crime and redeemed their own motorcycles from the pawnshops because the losses incurred were considerable. Based on the suspect’s confession to investigators, all the proceeds from the crime were spent on a lavish lifestyle. ‘We are continuing to develop this case and requesting statements from several witnesses to investigate the possibility of other networks,’ Aliet added. The university, through the Secretary of the Dakwah Management Department at UIN Walisongo Semarang, Lukmanul Hakim, provided clarification regarding the suspect’s status. He confirmed that IM was once registered as a student at the campus. However, Lukmanul asserted that IM no longer has any affiliation with the institution as he was declared a drop out (DO). ‘The individual in question has not attended lectures for three consecutive semesters, so in accordance with regulations, he has been dropped out and is no longer associated with UIN Walisongo,’ he stressed. For his actions, the suspect must now languish in a detention cell at the Ngaliyan Police Sector Headquarters to undergo further legal proceedings in accordance with applicable criminal provisions.