Started in Probolinggo, East Java, in 2005, the group Padepokan Dimas Kanjeng Taat Pribadi saw a growing number of followers after opening a branch in Makassar, South Sulawesi, in 2013.

In Jakarta, the group’s activities usually took place at a house on Jl. Bonto Bila, Manggal district. The house belongs to Marwah Daud Ibrahim, a central figure in the organization. The group’s leader Taat Pribadi has been accused of committing murder and fraud.

Hundreds of people visited the house on Sunday and Thursday nights for prayer. With prayer reportedly came the expectation of having one’s money and gold bars multiplied by the cult leader turned crime suspect.

South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan said the number of people in the province that fell victim to the fraud was estimated to reach 3,000. However, as of Tuesday, none of them had submitted reports.

“We support the East Java Police. We will help them with the investigation,” Anton said, adding that his office would begin questioning nine witnesses soon.

One of the victims of fraud was Najmiah Muin, who had been a loyal follower of Taat Pribadi since 2013. She had reportedly handed over Rp 200 billion (US$15.4 million) to Taat Pribadi directly and through bank transfers. However, she never received her multiplied some of money, and she died in May.

Najmiah, the wife of Hasanuddin University lecturer Abdul Muin Liwa, was an active follower of the group.

She regularly organized gatherings and mass prayers for local residents who came to her house almost daily. “Initially, they were invited to study the Quran and were later invited to join the group. Najmiah told people if they gave money, it would be returned to them up to 100 times over, so people wanted to join,” said Mahir, a local resident.

Before her death, Najmiah received banknotes and gold bullion, which both turned out to be counterfeit. The banknotes and gold bullion were packed in nine suitcases and crates within a large container and shipped from Probolinggo.

On Tuesday, a team from the South Sulawesi and East Java Police headquarters visited Najmiah’s house located in a housing complex for Hasanuddin University lecturers on Jl. Sunu in Makassar.

They confiscated a number of items, including a chest containing 500 gold bars, each weighing about 1 kilogram, three suitcases containing counterfeit money and kris (daggers).

Anton said Najmiah allegedly received the delivery from Taat Pribadi, but she returned five of the suitcases containing counterfeit money, only keeping four suitcases and a crate, which she called “magic box”.

“The suitcases were filled with counterfeit money, and the crate was filled with fake gold,” Anton added.

Besides fake rupiah, the counterfeit money was also printed in a number of other currencies, including euros, Cambodian riel, Thai baht and Iranian rial. The counterfeit banknotes were printed on plain paper and packaged and wrapped in specific amounts, like newly printed banknotes.

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