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ictims of a low-price housing scheme that allegedly extorted Rp 4.5 billion (US$308,799) in South Tangerang, Banten, have demanded that the suspect John Sumanti, 47, return their money.

John was arrested in Manado, South Sulawesi, on Dec. 8, accused of 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 for prices ranging between Rp 130 million and Rp 160 million. However, the 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 the 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, hoped her money would be returned so she could 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.