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Victims of housing fraud in South Tangerang demand refunds
John was arrested in Manado, North Sulawesi on Dec. 8, for defrauding a total of 171 people.
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Police escort fraud suspect John Sumanti to have his photograph taken on Dec. 13. (kompas.com/ David Oliver Purba )
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ictims of a low-price housing fraud scheme that extorted Rp 4.5 billion (US$308,799) in South Tangerang have demanded that suspect John Sumanti, 47, return their money.
John was arrested in Manado, North Sulawesi on Dec. 8, for defrauding a total of 171 people.
He claimed to be a property agent affiliated with the Public Works and Housing Ministry to build subsidized housing in Curug or Cidokom village, Bogor regency in 2015.
John had offered the victims houses with prices ranged between Rp 130 million and Rp 160 million. However, media reported that when the victims started asking about the houses, he fled.
One of the victims, Suryono, said he had used up the money he had been saving for years with his wife to pay a Rp 21 million (US$1,443) down-payment to John's property company, PT Cakrawala Karya Kinakas.
"I hope he can return my money. I don't ask for anything else, let alone a house that never existed," Suryono said at South Tangerang Police headquarters on Thursday as reported by kompas.com.
The sentiment is shared by another victim, Dina, who suggested the company’s assets be auctioned to pay back the victims' money. Dina, who had paid Rp 30 million to the company, wished she could have her money back to cover her family's living expenses.
Another victim, Dewi, also demanded her money back, which amounted Rp 18 million.
South Tangerang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ferdy Irawan said the police were still looking into John's assets. (ars)
