Palembang, KOTABARI.COM â Dozens of newlyweds in Palembang, South Sumatra, fell victim to a cunning wedding organizer (WO) owner named Jaka Perdana. Perpetrator Jaka Perdana successfully absconded with a sum of 1.3 billion Indonesian Rupiah, leaving the couples with shattered dreams.
Jaka Perdana, a 49-year-old man, was finally apprehended by the Ilir Barat II Police Station in Palembang, South Sumatra, at Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) after being on the run for a month. Ilir Barat II Police Chief, Kompol Wira Satria Yudha, disclosed that a total of 14 couples planning to tie the knot were deceived by the suspect.
One of the most recent victims who fell for the scam was Luthfiyah Hasyim (27). Luthfiyah had signed a contract with Jaka Perdana and had made an initial down payment (DP) as per their agreement to hold a wedding ceremony and reception on Friday, September 29, 2023. However, the perpetrator disappeared after receiving the payment from the victim.
The victims promptly reported the incident to the police, leading to the revelation that the collective loss incurred by the couples amounted to 1.3 billion Rupiah. “Following our investigation, it was found that there were 14 pairs of prospective brides and grooms affected in Palembang,” stated Chief Wira.
The modus operandi employed by the suspect involved offering wedding organizer services to prospective couples. As the event day approached, Jaka Perdana would suddenly vanish without a trace, prompting the victims to report the cases to authorities.
“Prior to these events, the victims had already made DP payments, ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of millions. The total amount absconded with was 1.3 billion Rupiah,” explained Chief Wira.
Subsequently, the money from these fraudulent activities was used by the suspect for his daily expenses while on the run. Investigation results revealed that only 5.6 million Rupiah remained from the misappropriated funds, while the specific expenditures are still under scrutiny.
For his actions, Jaka Perdana will face legal consequences and will be charged under Article 372 combined with Article 378 of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP) related to fraud and embezzlement, carrying a minimum prison sentence of four years. This case serves as a cautionary tale for engaged couples to exercise vigilance when choosing wedding organizers and adhere to proper procedures when making down payments.