Police Capture Counterfeiter Hiding in a Cave in East Java
Jakarta. The National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit, or Bareskrim, has captured a maker of bogus money in a cave in East Java.
The man is one of six people arrested in relation to counterfeit in four different locations in Java — including Majalengka, West Java, and Bangkalan, East Java. The arrested were identified by the initials S, M, RS, I, T and AR. I and M had previous criminal records.
Suspect I, who was arrested for printing and circulating the fake bills, was caught in a cave at Baluran National Park in East Java, special crimes director Brig. Gen. Agung Setya said at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (18/10).
Agung added that the counterfeit money has been found in six provinces: West Kalimantan, Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java and Bali.
"We will continue our search for others who are still passing the bills. We've arrested the makers, now we will target the distributors," Agung told reporters.
The police seized a handful of evidence during the arrest, including printers, computers and ink bottles, as well as more than 300 pieces of Rp 100,000 ($7.4) fakes.
According to Agung, the seized bills were the remainder of around 400 million rupiah that was burnt by the suspects as they tried to get rid of the evidence.
The counterfeiters can face life in prison for violating the 2011 Law on Currency and the 2010 Law on Money Laundering.
Bank Indonesia currency management director Luctor Tapiheru said there were on average five counterfeit rupiah bills per every 1 million banknotes printed officially.
He added that the central bank has taken various preventive measures against forgery, and has been raising awareness among members of the public on how to distinguish the good money from the bad.
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