Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesian police are actively pursuing three fugitives wanted in connection with the counterfeit money operation uncovered at Alauddin State Islamic University (UIN Alauddin) in Gowa, South Sulawesi. The suspects, listed on the police’s most-wanted list (DPO), are believed to be key financiers behind the operation.
Indonesian police have uncovered a counterfeit money production operation at the State Islamic University (UIN) Alauddin Makassar campus in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi.
Following an investigation, authorities arrested 17 individuals, including the university’s head librarian, Andi Ibrahim, and a campus staff member. Among those detained are civil servants from the West Sulawesi provincial government and employees of a state-owned bank.
In addition to the 17 suspects, police have named three suspects as fugitives. These fugitives are believed to have acted as financiers for the illegal operation and remain at large.
Authorities have contacted immigration officials to prevent the suspects from fleeing the country. “We have issued a request to the immigration office to prevent these fugitives from leaving Indonesia,” Gowa Police Chief AKBP Reonald Simanjuntak said on Monday, December 23, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
One of the fugitives, identified by the initials ASS, is a prominent politician and businessman from Makassar. He is believed to be the mastermind and primary financier of the counterfeit currency operation. “ASS is also a key witness in this case,” Simanjuntak added.
However, a crucial witness, identified as M, reportedly died of a heart attack, complicating efforts to fully expose the network.
Large-Scale Counterfeit Operation Uncovered
The crackdown was revealed during a press conference held at the Gowa Police Headquarters in South Sulawesi on Thursday, December 19, 2024, by South Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Yudhiawan Wibisono.
The investigation began after a resident of Gowa Regency reported receiving counterfeit money to local police. Police then raided the library building of UIN Alauddin Makassar and uncovered hundreds of counterfeit money along with various production tools.
From the crackdown, authorities seized counterfeit currency worth trillions of rupiah, including foreign banknotes and fake financial certificates. Evidence included BI deposit certificates valued at Rp45 trillion ($2.8 billion) and a government bond certificate worth Rp700 trillion ($43 billion).
Confiscated counterfeit banknotes included 4,554 Indonesian 100,000-rupiah bills (2016 series), and 234 uncut sheets of 100,000-rupiah notes. Foreign currencies seized included a 5,000-won Korean banknote and 111 Vietnamese dong notes.
Police Uncover Counterfeit Money Factory Inside Indonesian Islamic University UIN Alauddin Campus
Police also confiscated high-tech printing equipment, including a GM-247IIMP-25 offset printing machine, aluminum powder, printing ink imported from China. In addition, nine mobile phones, two cars, one motorcycle, and other tools used in the operation also confiscated.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities intensify efforts to apprehend the fugitives and dismantle the counterfeit money network completely. Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activity.
(Raidi/Agung)
