Sub-directorate II (Banking) of the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Dittipideksus) under the Bareskrim) of the Polri led by Kombes Pol M. Arsal Sahban.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – It has been nearly five years since 7.871 victims of the fraudulent NET89 automated trading investment scheme began waiting for the return of their funds. Ever since PT Simbiotik Multitalenta Indonesia (PT SMI) ceased NET89 operations on January 27, 2022—citing system improvements”/—the members’ funds have never been returned.

Now, these 7.871 victims—whose losses, verified by the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), total approximately Rp1,514 trillion—pin their remaining hopes on one final case file, the case against PT SMI as a corporate entity.

To date, the Directorate of Economic and Special Crimes (Dittipideksus) of the Bareskrim Polri has successfully concluded 13 individual case files. All have been adjudicated by the West Jakarta District Court, with the rulings now having permanent legal force. This includes in absentia sentences of 15 years in prison for the two primary operators of PT SMI, Andreas Andreyanto and Lauw Swan Hie Samuel.

However, these 15-year in absentia sentences have yet to result in the incarceration of Andreas Andreyanto and Lauw Swan Hie Samuel. Both remain at large and are currently being pursued via an Interpol Red Notice. Meanwhile, the 14th case file—involving PT SMI as a corporate legal entity—is still under investigation, with authorities currently addressing requirements set forth by the public prosecutor.

Director of Economic and Special Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Kombes Pol Suhasto stated, that his department fully understands the long wait endured by the victims. He further noted, that the resolution of the corporate case file serves as a tangible manifestation of the vision held by the Kapolri Jenderal Pol Suyudi Ario Seto: “Polisi Bersama Masyarakat”.

“The Kapolri has emphasized, that the Polri must be present and stand with the public—especially those who have fallen victim to crime. In the NET89 case, our measure of success is not merely how many perpetrators are punished, but also the extent to which the victims’ rights can be restored. For this reason, we are overseeing the case file concerning the corporation until it reaches a final resolution,” stated Kombes Pol Suhasto.

He added that, in his capacity as a leader, he has instructed his subordinates to prioritize fulfilling the directives issued by the public prosecutor.

“I have directed Sub-directorate II (Banking Crimes) to address all of the prosecutor’s instructions as quickly and as meticulously as possible. By doing so, the case file for PT SMI can soon be declared complete, allowing the corporation to be held accountable in court,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Kombes Pol M. Arsal Sahban—Head of Sub-directorate II (Banking Crimes) under the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes at the Polri Bareskrim —who is leading the investigation into the corporate case, explained why this final case file is so crucial for the victims.

“While the primary masterminds have already been convicted, they remain at large. Furthermore, the victims’ funds did not flow solely into the perpetrators’ personal accounts; they were also funneled into accounts and assets held in the company’s name. This is where the corporate case file becomes the key. By targeting PT SMI as a legal entity, the state can reach assets registered under the company’s name to facilitate the recovery of the victims’ losses,” explained Kombes Pol Arsal, who gained public recognition as the commander of the Cobra Team during his tenure as the Kapolres Lumajang.

According to Kombes Pol Arsal, this approach aligns with the leadership’s directive to accelerate the resolution of the cases currently under investigation.

“The directive from the Director of the Economic and Special Crimes Investigation Directorate is clear, investigators must stand with the victims. This is what “Polisi Bersama Masyarakat” means in the context of investigating financial crimes. We recognize that the victims have waited far too long; therefore, we have made this case a priority and are systematically fulfilling each of the prosecutor’s requirements,” explained Kombes Pol Arsal.

To date, investigators have also seized various assets believed to be linked to the NET89 criminal scheme—ranging from villas and hotels in Bali, commercial properties (shophouses) associated with the NET89 network in Bandung, Pekanbaru, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, and Batam, to land and buildings in the BSD area of ​​Tangerang.

Meanwhile, approximately Rp51,6 billion in seized cash has been handed over to the prosecutors, along with 13 individual case files. An additional sum of about Rp6,2 billion has been recorded as evidence within the corporate case file for PT SMI.

“We continue to coordinate with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) to ensure that the seized assets are returned to those rightfully entitled to them. Asset tracing remains ongoing, including the search for assets that may still be concealed by the perpetrators,” stated Kombes Pol Arsal.

“Based on the tracing and seizure of NET89 assets conducted by the Banking Sub-directorate of the Criminal Investigation Agency’s (Bareskrim Polri) Directorate of Special Economic Crimes, the total value is approximately Rp1,5 trillion. This consists of about Rp715 billion identified up to November 2022, and an additional Rp800 billion identified during the period from 2023 through October 2026,” added the officer—a member of the 1998 Parama Satwika class of the Police Academy.

The value of these seized assets aligns with the restitution calculations performed by the LPSK. In a letter to the Director of Special Economic Crimes at Bareskrim Polri dated September 21, 2026, the LPSK confirmed that it had completed the verification and calculation of restitution for victims who submitted applications through various victim associations and law firms.

The assessment concluded that the restitution for 7.871 victims is reasonably valued at Rp1.514.168.112.100. The LPSK will subsequently submit this Restitution Assessment Report to the investigators and/or the public prosecutor.

The progression of this case has been quite complex. The investigation followed a convoluted path before being restarted in April 2024, consolidating 15 separate police reports filed by victims across various regions. The investigation revealed that NET89 was marketed by PT SMI through the Smart Ecotrade application, promising daily returns of 1 percent. To join, prospective members were required to purchase an e-book—priced anywhere from Rp1,5 million to Rp750 million—and then deposit a minimum of Rp7,5 million into an account belonging to an exchanger or sub-exchanger designated by the company.

In reality, however, the members’ funds were never actually traded. Instead, the money was simply circulated between accounts to pay out “returns” to other members—a classic Ponzi scheme. The remaining funds were diverted to purchase personal assets for the company’s executives and the firm itself. Throughout its operation, PT SMI hid behind a direct-selling license for its e-books.

Elaborating further, Kombes Pol Arsal urged the public to treat the NET89 case as a cautionary tale.

“No trading robot can guarantee a fixed daily profit. If an investment offer promises guaranteed returns—especially if it also requires you to recruit others—you should be highly suspicious. Always verify the entity’s legal status with the OJK (Financial Services Authority) before depositing any money,” he advised.

In this case, the individual defendants have already been sentenced for operating a pyramid scheme and for money laundering. Meanwhile, PT SMI is being investigated as a corporate entity in connection with money laundering charges.

In short, it is highly likely that assets held in the name of PT SMI will be seized to facilitate the recovery of the victims’ losses. Go get ‘em! (Bembo)