TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Police on the hunt for alleged scam artists, former minister threatened
The Jakarta Police are currently tracking the phone numbers of alleged scam artists who reportedly extorted Hari Budianto Darmawan out of Rp 50 million (US$3,590) by threatening to kill his brother, prominent economist and former Cabinet minister Kwik Kian Gie.
Change Size
Former cabinet minister Kwik Kian Gie (left) and Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno talk to reporters at City Hall on Oct. 13, 2017. (kompas.com/Nursita Sari)
T
he Jakarta Police are currently tracking the phone numbers of alleged scam artists who reportedly extorted Hari Budianto Darmawan out of Rp 50 million (US$3,590) by threatening to kill his brother, prominent economist and former Cabinet minister Kwik Kian Gie
“We are tracking [the suspects’] phone numbers and their position,” Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Indra Jafar said on Wednesday as reported by kompas.com.
Hari had reported the suspects to the Jakarta Police, he added.
“We have received the report and are currently deciding whether we will handle the case or hand it over to the South Jakarta Police,” Indra said.
One of the perpetrators, he explained, had called Hari and demanded Rp 60 million, or he would kill 83-year-old Kwik.
Another man then got on the phone, pretending to be Kwik.
"Soon after, Hari transferred Rp 50 million to the perpetrators. He then called one of Kwik's children and discovered that his brother was fine," Indra explained.
Kwik was Indonesia’s coordinating economic minister from 1999 to 2000, and national development planning minister from 2001 to 2004. (ami)
