Woman Who Went Viral for Not Paying for Meals Finally Apprehended
A woman who went viral for her repeated failure to pay for meals has finally been apprehended by authorities. Her actions across multiple areas have caused significant concern to residents.
The woman, identified as NSS (38), was apprehended following a disturbance at a restaurant in Gambir, Central Jakarta. She is easily recognisable by her consistent appearance: black hoodie and trousers, spectacles, and a black bag.
Her distinctive appearance led to several videos of her being recorded and widely circulated on social media. In the circulating videos, she is seen making a gesture of clasping her hands together and appearing to genuflect before someone.
However, the person before her immediately prevented this and helped NSS up. It is reported that the woman took food belonging to another customer, prompting the restaurant to lodge a complaint. The restaurant staff confronted her and coordinated with the Gambir Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) for further action. The woman was then taken to a room with several Satpol PP officers and officials from the Social Service Agency (Dinsos).
Satriadi Gunawan, Head of DKI Jakarta’s Civil Service Police Unit, confirmed that his officers handled the incident. He stated that a report concerning a disruption to public comfort had been received and responded to.
“Yes, the report was handled by Satpol PP. Satpol PP assisted,” said Satriadi on Friday, 27 February 2026.
Mental Health Assessment
The Civil Service Police Unit received reports from the public on Thursday, 26 February evening. Satpol PP coordinated with the Social Service Agency.
The woman, identified as NSS, is suspected to be a person with mental health disorders (ODGJ). NSS was transported to Duren Sawit Regional Special Hospital in East Jakarta for mental health assessment.
“Upon investigation, there were indications of mental health disorders, and the Social Service Agency brought her to Duren Sawit Regional Special Hospital,” said Satriadi.
A mental health assessment will be conducted on NSS to confirm the suspected mental health disorder she may be experiencing. NSS became known through several videos circulated on social media. She is alleged to have eaten without paying at various establishments, failed to pay for online motorcycle taxi rides, and avoided paying for taxi rides.
“To determine her psychological and mental state, she was brought to Duren Sawit Regional Special Hospital. She will be examined again to determine whether she truly has mental health disorders or not,” he said.
However, the specific process and timeline for NSS’s mental health assessment remain unknown as the hospital is handling it. Satriadi noted that Satpol PP only responded to reports from the public.
“So Satpol PP assisted; after investigation, there were suspected mental health disorders, so she was brought to the hospital for assessment,” he said.
Frequently Relocating
The apprehended woman had previously been sought by the West Jakarta Sub-agency of Social Services (Sudinsos Jakbar). She is known for frequently changing locations.
“The information is that this resident does move around whilst committing these acts, so we have not yet encountered her. Given the current attention, we will strengthen surveillance at our monitoring points,” said Fajar Laksono, Head of Sudinsos Jakbar, as reported by Antara on Tuesday, 24 February.
He stated that he had received several reports on Wednesday, 21 January. He instructed Sudinsos Jakbar officers to track down the woman suspected to be a person requiring social welfare services (PPKS).
The search was conducted by the Social Supervision and Control Service Task Force (Satgas P3S) in Cengkareng and Kalideres. A joint team was prepared to bring the woman to a social welfare institution if found.
Shopkeepers Distressed
One incident involving NSS eating without paying occurred in Srengseng, West Jakarta. A shopkeeper named Zahra (22) viewed NSS’s actions as distressing and financially damaging to others.
“I just want her arrested; she’s causing distress to traders. She acts as though she can just ask for things without paying. She doesn’t realise when a shop is quiet,” Zahra told detikcom when met on Tuesday, 24 February.
Zahra stated she did not report the incident to police. According to her, the shop owner chose to forgive the loss.
“Actually, we wanted to take her to police, but were afraid it would cause complications and incur additional costs. My boss also said, ‘never mind, let her go; consider it charity’,” she explained.
Although the financial loss was not substantial, Zahra believes the perpetrator’s actions harm traders and other service workers.