Wedding Organizer Owner Plays Victim When Asked to Take Responsibility

The confrontation took place at the East Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters after the suspects were apprehended on Friday (29/5) at a rented house in West Bandung, West Java.

‘She is clever at playing the victim, Sir,’ stated one of the victims, as seen on the Instagram account of the East Jakarta Police Chief, Kombes Alfian Nurrizal, on Tuesday (2/6/2026).

‘That is the point; even when the police tried to question her, she responded with various excuses,’ added Kombes Alfian.

One victim expressed outrage at the suspect’s attitude, noting that instead of taking responsibility, the perpetrator appeared to be seeking pity. ‘We are the victims. We don’t want to hear excuses about her trying to survive; that is her business. Our point is that we demand responsibility,’ the victim remarked.

While weeping, the suspect, identified by the initials ER, attempted to explain her situation and requested time to repay the victims’ money. ‘I am permitted to explain our situation because it is true… If I am not punished, Sir, I can try to make an effort within six months. If Marwah [the business] goes bankrupt, I can build another one,’ ER said, attempting to convince the victims amidst the commotion.

The Police Chief explained that the confrontation was conducted to ensure transparency and to demonstrate that the investigation is being carried out in an accountable and professional manner. ‘If we did not bring them together, people might think the police do not want to assist in recovering the assets. We have conducted this transparently,’ said Kombes Alfian.

Victims expressed their appreciation to the East Jakarta Metro Police for the arrest and hope that the perpetrators receive appropriate legal punishment.

The suspects, a married couple identified as RM and ER, were arrested after attempting to flee. According to AKBP Bayu Kurniawan, Head of Criminal Investigation at the East Jakarta Metro Police, the pair attempted to hide following the widespread social media coverage of the case. Police are currently investigating reports that the couple intended to flee abroad, though it is confirmed they moved between several locations during the investigation.

A total of 58 prospective bride and groom pairs have been identified as victims, with total losses estimated at Rp 2.6 billion.