Kapolda of Lampung, Irjen Pol Helfi Assegaf.

progresifjaya.co.id, SOUTH LAMPUNG – Despite being inmates at the Kotabumi Class IIB Prison in North Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, the cunning schemes of a bandit remain the same. The bandits carried out the scam by pretending to be actors in a love scam. The victims were deceived, then intimidated and extorted into paying a substantial amount of money.

This scam was finally uncovered by the Sub-Directorate V Cyber ​​of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the  Polda of Lampung, on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Directorate General of Public Order and Intelligence (Ditjenpas) provided information regarding the possession of 156 mobile phones belonging to inmates of the Kotabumi Class IIB Prison, which were allegedly used to commit ITE crimes under the guise of love scams.

Kapolda of Lampung, Irjen Pol Helfi Assegaf, accompanied by the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, and the Commander of the XXI/Radin Inten Military Command, Mayjen TNI Kristomei Sianturi, provided an explanation of the case at the Siger Lounge of the Polda of Lampung  on Monday, May 11, 2026. He stated, that the bandits carried out an online fraud scheme by creating fake social media accounts and claiming to be members of the Polri or the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

After establishing a relationship with the female victim, the bandits then invited her to have a video sex call (VCS) and recorded the video.

The victim was then contacted by other individuals claiming to be members of the Polri’s Propam (Propam) and the Indonesian Army’s Military Police. They threatened to release the VCS recording if they didn’t transfer a sum of money.

“From the fraudulent act against the victim, the extortion money was divided 30 percent for the leader, 10 percent for the shooter, and 60 percent for the workers,” said Kapolda Helfi.

 Based on the results of the investigation into this case, investigators have identified 137 bandits, residents of the Penitentiary, as involved. Hundreds of victims were defrauded, resulting in losses totaling Rp1,4 billion.

Meanwhile, the confiscated evidence included 156 mobile phones, police uniforms, savings books and ATM cards, six BRIZZI cards, and one SIM card. Ten holding accounts from various banks and digital wallets were also found.

Investigators have charged the bandits involved in this case under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, Article 407 of the Criminal Code concerning Pornography, and Article 492 of the Criminal Code concerning Fraud. They face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of Rp1 billion.

Furthermore, Kapolda Helfi emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. He also urged the public to be more vigilant against online fraud schemes disguised as love scams.

 And if they encounter or become victims of similar crimes, Kapolda Helfi asked the public not to hesitate to report them to the police anywhere.

“I also remind all ranks to strengthen their commitment to eradicating all forms of deviation in correctional institutions,” he emphasized.

Writer/Editor: Bembo