Scam investment scheme boss dies in cell

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A suspect in an investment scam died on Thursday in his cell at the Tangerang Police detention facility, Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said.

“We are still waiting for the report from the Tangerang Police regarding the cause of death,” he said, adding that the remains of Koperasi Langit Biru (KLB) founder Jaya Komara had been sent to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for an autopsy.

Tangerang Police precinct chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Priyo Andogo said Jaya’s three cell mates found his body in the morning and notified officers. “They said Jaya was still chatting with them at 4:40 a.m.,” Bambang said, adding that police doctors estimated Jaya’s time of death at 5 a.m.

Jaya was arrested on July 27 for an alleged investment scam, which began to surface in early July after four of Jaya’s alleged victims reported him to the police for embezzling a total of Rp 6 trillion (US$625.12 million). He collected the amount from some 125,000 clients who had invested their money through the KLB that Jaya managed in Cikasungka village in Solear district, Tangerang.

They were lured by 40 to 75 percent promised returns but after several months, some of his customers felt the scheme was fraudulent because they never received the amount they were promised.