Kapolres Metro of West Jakarta, Kombes Pol Nasriadi holding a press conference to outline the details of the operation that dismantled a syndicate producing and distributing counterfeit money.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Polres Metro of West Jakarta in collaboration with the Polsek Metro of Tamansari have dismantled a syndicate involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit currency operating across several regions.

During the operation, 11 suspects were arrested, and 15.610 counterfeit notes in the Rp100.000 denomination were seized.

Kapolres Metro of West Jakarta, Kombes Pol Nasriadi stated, that the counterfeit currency was produced at two locations, Cipedes Village (Cipedes District, Tasikmalaya) and Belahar Village (Wangon District, Banyumas).

The case was uncovered in August 2026, while the production of the counterfeit money had been ongoing since January 2026.

“The counterfeit money was produced at a location in Tasikmalaya, specifically in Cipedes Village, Cipedes District. We seized evidence in the form of the machinery used for the manufacturing process,” said Kombes Pol Nasriadi during a press conference on Monday, August 24, 2026.

According to him, the machine located in Tasikmalaya was used for the initial stage of production.

Meanwhile, the machine in Banyumas was used to mass-produce the counterfeit notes after the initial production run was deemed successful.

The syndicate carried out its operations through several stages, ranging from scanning, digitization, and printing to the addition of security features and final finishing.

Counterfeit currency production was conducted twice in Tasikmalaya.

“During the first printing run, the syndicate produced approximately 12.000 counterfeit notes. A total of 4.000 notes were deemed defective, while the remaining 8.000 notes were considered to closely resemble genuine currency,” explained Kombes Pol Nasriadi.

The 8.000 counterfeit notes were subsequently sold for Rp225 million in genuine currency to an individual who remains at large (DPO).  Subsequently, the counterfeit money was circulated in various ways, including by mixing it with genuine currency and using it for transactions.

The syndicate then proceeded to carry out a second print run, producing 16.000 notes.

Drawing on experience from the previous production, the number of defective counterfeit notes was reduced to approximately 1.000.

“15.000 notes were successfully produced and deemed nearly identical to genuine currency. These were the ones distributed through their network,” explained Kombes Pol Nasriadi.

As a result of this operation to dismantle the ring, a total of 15.610 counterfeit notes in the Rp100.000 denomination were seized.

Kombes Pol Nasriadi emphasized, that the police use the term “sheets” or “notes” because the counterfeit items hold no value as actual currency.

In addition to the counterfeit currency, police seized around 40 types of evidence, including play money, counterfeit US dollars, and various equipment used in the production process.

Regarding the 11 arrested suspects, each played a distinct role within the syndicate. Suspect S is identified as the financier and operations coordinator.

Suspect N was responsible for printing and finishing. Suspects MK and J handled the bundling of the notes, Suspect R managed the design, and Suspect W was tasked with perforating or refining the finished product.

The 11 suspects were apprehended across several regions, including Jakarta, Bogor, Sukabumi, and Cilacap.

Meanwhile, four other individuals—identified as EA, R, W, and F—have been placed on the wanted list (DPO) and remain at large.

Kombes Pol Nasriadi also revealed, that the successful dismantling of this case was due to the synergy between the Polri, the Counterfeit Money Eradication Coordination Board (Botasupal), and Bank Indonesia (BI).

He urged the public to remain vigilant and to report immediately if they encounter or suspect the presence of counterfeit money.

“Don’t be deceived. Follow the standard counterfeit detection protocols: look, feel, and hold up to the light,” he advised. 

Kapolsek Metro of Tamansari, Kompol Bobby Zulfikar also added details. He stated that, based on the investigation, the counterfeit money production activities took place in January and May 2026.

During these two production runs, the group printed tens of thousands of counterfeit banknotes with varying degrees of success.

In the first batch, which successfully produced 8.000 counterfeit banknotes, the fake currency was subsequently exchanged for genuine money using a scheme devised by the syndicate.

The exchange scheme operated on a one-to-four ratio; meaning, one genuine banknote was exchanged for four suspected counterfeit banknotes.

“Those 8.000 notes were exchanged for Rp225 million in cash—that was the scheme. It was a one-to-four ratio,” said Kompol Bobby.

“In other words, one genuine banknote was swapped for four suspected counterfeit ones,” he added. (Bembo)