West Java Police Nab Four Fraud Suspects Over Scam Selling MBG Kitchen Points for Free Nutritious Meals

The West Java Police (Polda Jabar) have uncovered a fraud and embezzlement scheme operating under the guise of selling SPPG (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi) points, i.e., MBG (Makan Bergizi Gratis) kitchen sites. Four perpetrators are now officially listed as wanted persons (DPO) after illegally accruing up to Rp1.963 billion from victims. The Director of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Jabar, Kombes Ade Sapari, explained that the case came to light following reports of two criminal incidents with similar modus operandi. The perpetrators offered promises of ownership of SPPG site points in various regions, charging between Rp75 million and Rp150 million per point, depending on the location’s strategic value. In carrying out the operation, the main suspect, identified as YRN, offered to process location permits using forged identity documents claimed to originate from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). “They convinced victims by showing identity numbers created in such a way as if it were a legitimate document approved directly by BGN. In reality, BGN never issued such documents or IDs,” Ade Sapari said at the West Java Police Headquarters on Tuesday (19 May). The case first emerged when a member of the public intended to establish an SPPG kitchen in Banjar City and Dayeuhluhur, Cilacap. In December 2023, the victim met YRN, who claimed insider access at BGN. The victim subsequently transferred Rp200 million for two sites after receiving counterfeit SPPG IDs. The victim only realised they had been deceived after the system access provided proved to be fictitious. Police investigations then expanded, uncovering at least 13 other victims with similar fates. Based on the examination results, the network operated with clearly defined roles. For their actions, the four suspects face charges under Article 492 of the Indonesian Penal Code for fraud and Article 486 for embezzlement, with a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment. The police have questioned 11 witnesses and seized financial transaction records and conversation transcripts. In response to the case, Soni Sanjaya, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), lauded Polda Jabar’s swift action in exposing the network. He stressed that the official MBG kitchen-opening mechanism is entirely free of charge. “The submission process is conducted purely online through the official Mitra.bgn.go.id portal. It is therefore impossible for anyone to sell or facilitate the opening of a MBG point for money. That is the loophole exploited by scammers to impersonate officials, including myself,” he said. He added that similar criminal patterns have been detected in other areas such as Batam and East Lombok. He urged anyone who believes they have fallen victim to report to the police promptly. For the remaining MBG kitchen points still available, BGN confirmed that applications would be processed through official proposals from local government, especially to reach remote areas. “So do not trust individuals offering paid shortcuts; all processes are official and transparent,” he concluded. (P-2)