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First Travel assets to be sold to compensate victims of 'umrah' scam
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Suspects of an 'umrah' scam, First Travel president director Andika Surachman (left), director Anniesa Hasibuan (center) and finance director Siti Nuraidah Hasibuan, are seen during their first hearing at the Depok District Court in West Jakarta on Feb. 19. (kompas.com/Kristianto Purnomo)
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ictims of an umrah (minor haj) scam allegedly committed by travel agency First Travel have been promised compensation through money earned from the sales of the company's assets, the Depok District Court heard in West Java on Monday.
During the second hearing of the trial, which was led by presiding judge Subandi, defense lawyer Puji Wijayanto said his clients had agreed to sell their assets and use the funds to return the money to the victims, who had fully paid for the minor haj but had yet to travel to Saudi Arabia.
The assets mentioned were 10 cars, four offices and three houses, kompas.id reported.
"We will check the assets first because some of them belong to other parties," general prosecutor Herry Jerman told the court.
Last week, the three defendants -- Anniesa Hasibuan, the owner and director of First Travel, Andika Surachman, her husband and the president director of the agency, and Anniesa's sister, Siti Nuraidah Hasibuan -- were charged with fraud, embezzlement and money laundering.
There are an alleged 63,310 victims in the case and total losses of over Rp 905 billion (US$63.37 million).
"I don't think the total assets will be sufficient to cover the total losses of the victims," Luthfi Yazid, a lawyer representing the victims in the case, said after the hearing.
The courtroom was packed with the victims, who shouted, "Thief! Thief! Give us back our money!" to the defendants as they entered the room. (fac)
