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Aussie investors complain of fraud
Panca Nugraha , The Jakarta Post , Mataram | Fri, 11/28/2008 10:51 AM | The Archipelago
An Australian couple who had intended to develop a resort in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, have been allegedly cheated out of Rp 4.2 billion (approximately US$380,000) by a local real estate agent.
Accompanied by their lawyer, Taufik Budiman, Paul Frederick Robson, 54, and Deborah Cynthia Strock, 52, lodged a report at the provincial police headquarters, hoping police would be able to resolve the case.
Taufik told reporters that his clients had bought 22 plots of land in Sekotong, West Lombok, with the intention of building a resort.
The land transaction was made through real estate agency PT TAP Mataram and the couple had transferred the money to its director, identified by the initials IBW, 36.
The couple had received land sale documents, issued by a notary public, from IBW, but when construction work was to begin, the pair became aware that the plots of land were still owned by local residents and had never been acquired by PT TAP.
"Our clients have paid PT TAP Rp 4.2 billion for the purchase of a total of 22 plots of land, but the locations were fraudulent as they are still owned by the villagers and could not be utilized," Taufik said.
Taufik's office filed a police report against the director of PT TAP, under the name of Deborah Cynthia Strock, at the end of September.
Taufik said his clients had been registered as foreign investors and held an investment license issued by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), signed by deputy of investment services Achmadi Kurniadi, dated May 30, 2008.
Based on the document, PT Sea Shanty, owned by the Australians, would build 20 cottages in West Lombok's Sekotong resort area; an investment valued at $1 million.
"However, the project has stalled due to the sham. We hope police will be serious in handling the case because we have already been dealing with them for quite a long time," he said.
Besides Paul and Deborah Robson, PT TAP has also allegedly cheated another Australian investor, Anthony Stephen Hodgkinson, 50, through the same modus operandi.
Hodgkinson bought plots of property in seven locations in Sekotong, valued at Rp 2.4 billion, through PT TAP, but they too turned out to be fraudulent.
"We only realized it when we were driven out by the land owners when we were about to start construction. They said they had never sold the land to anyone. We also reported it to the police in August, but have not received a response as of now," said Guntur, an employee of PT Sunset Beach Villa, owned by Hodgkinson.
According to Guntur, investors placed their trust in PT TAP because it had been recommended by the provincial BKPM and West Lombok regent.
The Australian investors, alongside Taufik, went to the police headquarters to inquire about further developments on the cases on Wednesday. They gave testimony to investigators, but police have yet to name a suspect.
Meanwhile on Thursday, West Nusa Tenggara Police spokesman Comr. Tribudi Pangastuti verified that police had received the complaints from the Australians.
According to him, detectives are still investigating the cases and have gathered testimony from a number of witnesses.
"We certainly follow up every report we receive and hope the public can trust us. Investigations of the cases are still underway," Tribudi said.
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Interesting (not verified) — Fri, 05/08/2009 - 4:01pm
I have read all the comments regarding Paul Robson and his husband Debbie Stork.
Although some of these comments may be untrue, im here to tell you alot of the stated comments are very true.
Im astounded that Eagle stated that Mr Robson has a clear record in Australia in regards to the Police.
That statement is clearly untue.
Car theft at a grand scale, drug running are just a couple of proven charges that come to mind
You dont spend time in Fremantle Jail unless you have done something wrong.
Mr Robson is always under investigation with his dealings with minors.Always, you just have to look at the sick individual to see that.
Thats another fact.
Its amazing what a little money can do in the right hands, lets call this hush money shall we.
Mr Robson and his husband Debbie Storke are very very lucky that the residents at Lawson Apartments in South Hedland didnt follow thru with the actions that they could have taken.
Mr Robson in his drunken state would constantly let himself into tennants apartments while they were out trying to make an honest living and go thru their apartments looking for something to steal.
Had they carried out their threats im certain Mr Robson and his Husband Debbie Storke would have got dealt with by the law a couple of years ago.
All the above are facts, with several witnesses to back that story up including his own blood.
The fact that they are still caretakers of this property is absolutely astonishing.
So i laugh at the fact that Karma has caught up with these greedy people at this time.
I sympathise with the innocent victims, but dont for one minute put Mr Robson or his Husband Debbie Storke in the innocent brigade.
They are scum and need to be treated as such.
Interesting dont you think????????
Tania hobson (not verified) — Sun, 05/03/2009 - 2:34am
Hey to all you money hungry creeps, oh and You mr Paul Robson, Yuk!!!!!! A phedophile who likes lil kids .........you can run to lombok but nay you cant hide behind whats err name Debbie Storck ...youll get caught creeps.....neither of you are squeeky clean.
Maridi (not verified) — Thu, 04/23/2009 - 3:59pm
Once again i see the true intellect of you individuals has come through.
To Eagle -
How do you know tony is not currently under investigation. i can assure you he is. so unless you work for ASIC and you are obtaining files illegally you can't comment on that. And they wouldn't tell the person if they are under investigation that's the whole point of being investigated.
And as for Christine supposedly having her passport confiscated..we that statement proves you have absolutely no idea what is going on. I have personally seen her passport 2 days ago. SO if you are going to tell lies at least try and make them, partly believable.
With regads to paul robinson..once a rent boy always a rent boy...just look at his husband deborah......and i though yowies were imaginary...
Your pathetic threats of interpol are laughable... i would be more worried about your safety.
As for Lombok y..lol...you really are a strasnge little individual..well i know that pedophiles stick together so if you think you know what you are talking about..good luck to you. as for the american couple...does tony really think that bribinh a former staff member is going to get him very far...
you speak of proof...where is your proof of the allegations...you don't have any..and the best you can do is attempt to convey your rantings here.
And as for John...his pedophile lifestyle has followed him to thailand and he will soon be the one wearing the orange jumpsuit..
i am sure you all know each other and you can write what you want and try and place as many lies out there as you want. but if you know anything about indonesians you will know actions speak louder than words...and if you think mike and val can add anything to your little team of dropkicks..well good luck to you...those 2 wouldn't even know what time day of the week it is.
be as comfortable as you can now. it won't last.
Eagle (not verified) — Tue, 04/21/2009 - 9:18pm
To Maridi,
I agree with Photo - interesting pseudonym and the incoherent ramblings definately point to Ralph Edwin Blewitt, whose every comment is totally false, libelous and the twisted rantings of a desperate man who is himself under investigation. I believe they call libel in this country "hate making".
How easy it is for you to call Tony and Linne scum suckers. This is the pot calling the kettle black, as you, Ida Bagus Wirayadi and Christine Mackinnon have been sucking off innocent Aussie investors for many years.
People like you are called felchers in Australia, I am sure you know what a felcher is. If it was truly easier to get away with this in the western world as you claim, then why do so many con men come to places like Lombok?
It is in fact easier to exploit fellow Aussies here than it is in Australia, the opposite to what you allege. You obviously haven't read the Jakarta Post of April 21, if you had you would be aware that Ida Bagus Wirayadi is in fact in jail and has been since his arrest on 12/3/2009.
There are a few facts you need to get straight,
1. Tony has not had his passport confiscated and is not under investigation by ASIC and has never been.
2. Christine Mackinnon HAS had her passport confiscated by the authorities and is being investigated for fraud in Indonesia and Australia.
3. As for the comments made by you and Lombok 33, (who sounds like Christine Mackinnon) about "That paedophile Paul Robson" - These wild accusations have no foundation at all and are standard operational procedure used by Ida Bagus Wirayadi and his co-conspirators for years, to eliminate innocent investors because things became "troublesome" when the investors realised they were being ripped off.
Paul has never been under any investigation by Australian Police for any matter and has no record.
You forget the arm of the law in Australia is extremely long and reaches all over the world. Surely you have heard of Interpol? If not you may soon.
Paul was in Australia for over a month from December to January, if he was under investigation then why would he dare return to Australia?
Lombok would be no safe haven either, as Australian Federal Police have successfully apprehended paedophiles from Europe, England, Thailand, The Philipines and as far away as the US and Brazil.
To you and your fellow misinformed minions, may I suggest you get your facts right or shut the f_ck up!
To Lombok Y and Photo, well done.
Steve Lyster (not verified) — Sat, 04/18/2009 - 9:35pm
Just came across the article in the Jakarta Post (Ida Bagus Wirayadi)and it appears that some justice will be served for these Australians and indeed Indonesians.
More to follow if you read the last posted comments, maybe at least they have stopped other people being ripped off in the same manner and make Lombok a safer place to invest their money.
Good on you Photo and Lombok Y
Photo (not verified) — Sat, 04/18/2009 - 2:13pm
Maridi - interesting pseudonym but not good enough as the illiteracy, poor grammar and foul language clearly point to this being Ralph Edwin Blewitt alias the king of smuggled viagara. Quite amussing that he should accuse someone of being a paedophile.
Accusations while hiding behind a pseudonym without any proof are not very brave. Where is Ida Bagus Wirayadi now Ralph? Wearing a nice bright orange suite. Don't worry, they have one in your size too.
Lombok Y (not verified) — Thu, 04/16/2009 - 7:35pm
In reply to Maridi,
how do you know all the facts in this case unless you are personally involved? Only those involved would know so much and you are being very defensive.
I have been involved in this investigation and have personally witnessed and seen Ida Bagus incarcerated in the jail in Lembar for two days and now in Mataram – where he has been since the 12/3/2009. Perhaps YOU have never visited Lombok, as your information is totally incorrect. Do you not believe this article in the Jakarta Post?
I am unsure where your libelous information comes from, but when I contacted Anthony, he was able to show me his passport, which has never been confiscated. He also contacted ASIC whilst I was with him, to prove to me there is no investigation or fraudulent activity occurring in Australia.
Perhaps you are referring to Christine Mackinnon who has had her passport confiscated by authorities, and is under investigation for her part in the scams of Ida Bagus. She is also being investigated for fraud against Centrelink in Australia and for collecting a dead persons’ pension. Her retirement Kitas has also been confiscated whilst the investigation continues into her working in Indonesia, as she has recently sold a villa to an American couple, without selling the land!
Seeing as you have bought land from Ida Bagus without a problem, you may be a partner of his, who has been ripping off Australians’, Indonesians (his own people) and others for years. Otherwise it may pay for you to check with the authorities yourself, they would be quite interested to talk with you.
There are over 100 complaints currently under investigation through the rightful authorities – are all these people wrong?
As for the allegations against Paul and John, there seems to be no basis or proof for your comments. John is certainly welcome back into Indonesia any time. He was here just recently, and will be returning again in the near future, to further his claim against Ida Bagus.
The four Australians referred to in the original article are not trying to rip off the Indonesian people but have proven they are trying to encourage investment in Lombok. I believe you are the “uneducated dropkick” as you said, “with your incorrect information that cause distress and concern” - for the Indonesian people and government.
“So before you comment on things you have no idea about i suggest you get the facts correct.”
Lombok Y (not verified) — Thu, 04/16/2009 - 7:19pm
In reply to Maridi,
how can you know all the facts in this case unless you are personally involved? Only those involved would know so much and you are being very defensive.
I am sorry you have to resort to this liable. I have been involved in this investigation and have personally witnessed and seen Ida Bagus incarcerated in the jail in Lembar for two days and now in Mataram – where he has been since the 12/3/2009.
Perhaps you have never visited Lombok, as your information is totally incorrect.
I am unsure where your libelous information comes from, but when I contacted Anthony, he was able to show me his passport, which has never been confiscated. He also contacted ASIC whilst I was with him, to prove to me there is no investigation or fraudulent activity occurring in Australia.
Perhaps you are referring to Christine Mackinnon who has had her passport confiscated by authorities, and is under investigation for her part in the scams of Ida Bagus. She is also being investigated for fraud against Centrelink in Australia and for collecting a dead persons’ pension. Her retirement Kitas has also been confiscated whilst the investigation continues into her working in Indonesia, as she has recently sold a villa to an American couple, without selling the land!
Seeing as you have bought land from Ida Bagus without a problem, you may be a partner of his, who has been ripping off Australians’, Indonesians (his own people) and others for years. Otherwise it may pay for you to check with the authorities yourself, they would be quite interested to talk with you.
There are over 100 complaints currently under investigation through the rightful authorities – are all these people wrong?
As for the allegations against Paul and John, there seems to be no basis or proof for your comments. John is certainly welcome back into Indonesia any time. He was here just recently, and will be returning again in the near future, to further his claim against Ida Bagus.
The four Australians referred to in the original article are not trying to rip off the Indonesian people but have proven they are trying to encourage investment in Lombok. I believe you are the “uneducated dropkick” as you said, “with your incorrect information that cause distress and concern” - for the Indonesian people and government.
“So before you comment on things you have no idea about i suggest you get the facts correct.”
Maridi (not verified) — Sat, 03/28/2009 - 9:50am
In reply to the comment from "photo"
I happen to know all the facts in this case as i know Ida Bagus personally and i also know the scumm suckers Tonny, Linne and that pedophile Paul.
And i can tell that you have obviously not done any reasearch and you have no idea about the law in Indonesia.I have personally bought alot of land through Ida Bagus and every step has been legal and i have had no problems. Problems arise when people like you, Tony and Paul try to rip off the local people. Just cos it works in the western world and you can get away with it i can tell you it won't work in Indonesia. And i may be wrong..but i doubt it, did you attempt to go in to business with Ida Bagus in a lostman homestay?..i may be wrong.
And before you sprout off at the mouth about the bad dealings you had with Ida Bagus you may want to know that Tony Hodgkingson is currently under investigation in Australia by ASIC for illegal business dealings.
Perjaps there were so many villages ready to greet you was the fact that you personal dealings with young children was not wanted. I'll expand on that matter if you like..
And if you are so up to date with what is happening in Lombok you will know that Ida Bagus has not ever been in Jail.
You should also know that Tony Hodgkingson has had his passport confiscated because he is currently under investigation for fraud of the Indonesian government.
So before you comment on things you have no idea about i suggest you get the facts correct.
Poetic justice that you are not allowed back to Indonmesia. Because pathetic scum like you Indonesia can do with out.
I will also add thatpedophiles no where they go are always found out and dealth with....jsut a matter of time before they come looking for you.
It's uneducated dropkicks like you with your incorrect information that cause distress and concern for the Indonesian people who do everything they can to encourage investment and prosperity for their people.
Please visit other Asian countries so you can practice you disgusting sexual desires with young children and stay the hell away from Indonesia.
Good bye John.
Photo (not verified) — Wed, 03/25/2009 - 5:44pm
So many people talking so much crap and who have never been anywhere near Lombok by the sounds of it.
A lot of land in Lombok does not have land titles due to historical events. Many packets of land have two or three owners.
Ida Bagus Wirayadi (alias Ida Bagus Alit) and his Australian partner Ralph Edwin Blewitt have been ripping people off for years and when things start to get sticky Wirayadi pays local officials to have the "troublesome" investors or partners detained and deported.
From first-hand experience I spent 100 days in immigration detention after Ida Bagus got some friends of his to make a trumped up complaint and Mataram immigration came and took me into custody despite having a valid visa. When I refused to "deport myself"immigration refused to process any charges against me or refer the matter to the police or courts.
When immigration took me back to the site to remove personal effects Ida bagus Wirayadi had incited the village and there were 200 people with knives, machetes and petrol bombs waiting.
My police complaint about Ida Bagus Wirayadi was not acted on. I left Indonesia without a deportation stamp, but Ida Bagus Wirayadi got his corrupt friends at Kantor Willaya to blacklist me for one year to prevent me from coming back to Indonesia to pursue legal action against him or Mataram Immigration.
So before people start posting stupid comments in response to things they know nothing about, they should shut the f_ck up and find out the facts first.
There will be many other people making claims against Ida Bagus Wirayadi and Ralph Edwin Blewitt before this matter is over and many more would join if they knew he was finally in custody.
The Lombok police and other officials have been taking money from Ida Bagus for years.