Police in Bekasi, West Java, have arrested a man named Agus who allegedly committed identity theft through messaging app WhatsApp.

Agus allegedly breached a WhatsApp account belonging to a man named Febrianto. Claiming to be the owner of the account, Agus contacted many of Febrianto’s friends on the contact list and asked that they lend him money.

“He claimed he was Febrianto and told the victims through WhatsApp that a parent of his was sick and treated at a hospital. He borrowed Rp 9.3 million [US$660] from one of Febrianto’s friends,” South Cikarang Police chief Comr. Alin Kuncoro said on Tuesday, kompas.com reported.

Agus, who reportedly found the cellphone on the street, first contacted Febrianto’s friend Dwikun Mujab to ask for money on Dec. 16, 2018.

Still pretending to be Febrianto, he sent messages to Dwikun again on Dec. 17, saying that his parent died and that he needed Rp 5.6 million to arrange a funeral.

“The following day, he contacted the victim again and asked for an additional Rp 7.8 million to pay off debts. The victim believed him and transferred the money,” Alin explained.

Dwikun later asked his friend, Bagas, to join hands in helping Febrianto. He was surprised to hear from Bagas that Febrianto's parent was fine.

“Knowing that he had become a victim of fraud, Dwikun filed a report to the police,” Alin added.

After conducting an investigation, the police arrested Agus in his rented house in South Cikarang on Feb. 23.

Dwikun lost a total of Rp 22.7 million as a result of the alleged fraud. (vla)

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