Jakarta police have announced the arrest of evangelist Ruddy S Hadiwardojo over fraud and money laundering charges.

Jakarta Police's general crime division head Adj. Sr. Comr. Daniel Bolly Tifaona said Ruddy had been accused of misusing Rp 400 million of funds for personal interest. Sari Putra Yosef, Ruddy's  childhood friend and now victim of the alleged fraud, said Ruddy told her that the funds would be allocated for a church renovation project in Semarang, Central Java.

'But then he fled after receiving the money. Sari's lawyer, Massayu Doni Kertapati then filed a complaint to the police.' Daniel said, as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said Ruddy was apprehended in a boarding house in Setiabudi, South Jakarta. He said the police had also confiscated eight fake ID cards and froze eight bank accounts under different names.

Daniel said the police intended to ask for the Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to track down the money, because the police discovered a fund totaling Rp 1 billion from the eight bank accounts.

According to Ruddy's early statement, the borrowed money had been used to gamble abroad.

Daniel said Ruddy faced multiple charges and could be sentenced to more than five years in prison if proven guilty. (hrl/dic)

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