BATAM | INDATANEWS.COM - Batu Aji Police have uncovered an alleged fraud and embezzlement case involving the sale of fictitious Umrah travel packages. Investigators arrested a 33-year-old private employee identified by the initials YP, a resident of Tanjungpinang, for allegedly defrauding a victim of Rp10 million.
Batu Aji Police Chief AKP Bayu Rizki Subagyo, through the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit (Kanit Reskrim) of
Batu Aji Police,
IPTU Muhammad Rizky Fitrianor, S.Tr.K., confirmed the arrest. Police said the investigation remains ongoing to determine whether additional victims were targeted using the same scheme.
"It is true that investigators from the Criminal Investigation Unit of Batu Aji Police have arrested a man identified by the initials YP on suspicion of fraud and/or embezzlement involving Umrah travel payments," IPTU Muhammad Rizky Fitrianor said.
The case began when the suspect offered an Umrah travel package to the victim, identified as AW (33), a housewife. He allegedly gained her trust by offering a package at a price significantly lower than the standard rates charged by authorized travel agencies.
Interested in the offer, the victim agreed to make an initial payment. She later discovered that the transaction had not followed the official payment procedures required by the travel agency, resulting in financial losses.
Police also used the case to remind the public to exercise caution when booking Umrah pilgrimage packages, particularly when payments are requested through personal bank accounts instead of official company accounts.
BANK RECORDS SEIZED AS EVIDENCE: Batu Aji Police secured bank statements documenting the victim's transfers to the suspect's personal account. The suspect is being investigated under Article 492 and/or Article 486 of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. (PHOTO: Doc. Batu Aji Police)
Discounted Offer Used as Bait
The alleged fraud began on Monday, February 2, 2026, when YP contacted the victim and offered an Umrah package scheduled for departure in June 2026.
According to the suspect, the normal price for two pilgrims was Rp50 million, but he claimed he could arrange a special promotional rate of Rp35 million.
To make the offer more convincing, YP told the victim that he would personally cover the remaining balance using his commission as a travel partner. Believing the explanation, the victim agreed to follow the payment method proposed by the suspect.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the victim handed Rp5 million in cash to YP at his residence in the Marina View housing complex in Tanjung Uncang,
Batam.
The following day, Thursday, February 5, 2026, while at Embung Fatimah Regional General Hospital (RSUD Embung Fatimah) Batam, she transferred another Rp5 million to the suspect's personal bank account.
The suspect therefore received a total down payment of Rp10 million for the planned Umrah pilgrimage.
Initially, the victim believed her registration was being processed properly because the suspect consistently provided convincing explanations whenever she requested updates. However, she eventually noticed irregularities in the travel administration process.
Travel Agency Verification Exposes the Scheme
The victim's suspicions were confirmed on Sunday, March 1, 2026. After attending a seminar, she contacted the owner of Travel Sadar Grup to verify the status of her Umrah registration.
The travel agency informed her that all official payments must be transferred exclusively to a Bank Syariah Indonesia account under the name PT Sahabat Dua Arah.
The company further emphasized that it never accepts payments through the personal bank accounts of partners or marketing representatives.
Only after receiving this information did the victim realize she had allegedly fallen victim to fraud.
Having suffered losses totaling Rp10 million, she immediately filed a report with Batu Aji Police.
Following the complaint, Criminal Investigation Unit officers promptly launched an investigation by interviewing witnesses, tracing financial transactions, and locating the suspect.
The investigation eventually led officers to a location frequently visited by the suspect, allowing police to prepare an operation for his arrest.
TWO SUITCASES SEIZED AS EVIDENCE:
Batu Aji Police confiscated two suitcases believed to be related to the alleged fictitious Umrah travel package scheme. (PHOTO: Doc.
Batu Aji Police)
Suspect Arrested at Hang Nadim International Airport
The investigation conducted by the Batu Aji Criminal Investigation Unit ultimately led to the suspect's capture.
On Sunday, June 28, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m. WIB, investigators received information indicating that YP frequently spent time around Hang Nadim International Airport Batam.
According to investigators, the suspect regularly monitored the arrival area of the airport during the return of Hajj pilgrims.
After receiving the information, the Batu Aji investigation team coordinated with officers from the Hang Nadim Airport Police Unit before carrying out the arrest.
"We immediately coordinated with personnel from Hang Nadim Airport Police. The suspect was arrested without resistance inside the airport arrival terminal before being taken to
Batu Aji Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings,"
IPTU Muhammad Rizky Fitrianor said.
Following his arrest, YP was transported to Batu Aji Police Headquarters for further questioning and the continuation of the criminal investigation.
Investigators also seized a Bank Mandiri account statement documenting the victim's transfers into the suspect's personal account.
The bank statement has become one of the key pieces of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The suspect has been charged under Article 492 and/or Article 486 of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Indonesian Criminal Code for alleged fraud and/or
embezzlement.
Batu Aji Police urged the public to carefully verify the legitimacy and licensing status of Umrah travel agencies before making any payments. Authorities emphasized that all transactions should be made only through official company bank accounts and warned the public not to be tempted by unusually low-priced offers, particularly when payments are requested through personal accounts. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Dalil Harahap | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala