Investigation Opens in Case of Counterfeit Singapore Dollars Worth Rp 4.7 Billion, 6 Witnesses Questioned

Investigation Opens in Case of Counterfeit Singapore Dollars Worth Rp 4.7 Billion, 6 Witnesses Questioned

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The case of alleged circulation of counterfeit Singapore dollars handled by the South Tangerang Police's Criminal Investigation Unit has now advanced to the investigation phase.

Public Relations Head of South Tangerang Police, Police Commissioner Yuni, said this decision was made following a case evaluation meeting.

“The investigators have carried out procedures in accordance with the case evaluation mechanism, and as a result, the status has been upgraded from preliminary inquiry to investigation,” Yuni said when contacted by Kompas.com via text message on Sunday (20/9/2026).

So far, six individuals have been summoned as witnesses. However, Yuni did not specify who they were.

“Currently, the investigators have conducted clarification examinations of six witnesses,” Yuni added.

When asked about the status of the suspects, Yuni declined to provide further details.

“We will provide updates as soon as possible,” she said.

Meanwhile, the legal counsel for the suspect, Saleh Balfas, urged the police to further trace where the money went after it was reported as counterfeit.

“Trace backward to find the origin of the money. But also trace forward to find out what happened after the money changed hands,” Saleh stated.

The case started when one of the suspects, identified as HJ, had 34 sheets of 10,000 Singapore dollar bills from 1973 inherited from his parents.

He was then introduced to AN, who offered to exchange the money for smaller denominations.

Because the amount was substantial, AN first tried to exchange one bill. As a deposit to HJ, AN left Rp 70 million in cash.

AN then asked his younger sibling to help exchange the note at a bank.

“However, the attempt to exchange through Indonesian banking channels failed because 10,000 Singapore dollar bills issued in 1973 are no longer in circulation in Indonesia,” Saleh explained.

Therefore, AN cooperated with the husband of the complainant, S, who frequently traveled to Singapore. The money was taken to Singapore on June 8, 2026.