Jakarta, Legal Literacy – The Directorate of Special Economic Crime (Dittipideksus) of the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) has announced the naming of two suspects in the alleged money laundering case (TPPU) originating from online gambling activities to finance the construction of the Aruss Hotel in Semarang, Central Java.

“We have named suspects, the first is the corporation PT AJP which is headquartered at the Aruss Hotel in Semarang. The second suspect is FH,” said Brigadier General Helfi Assegaf, Director of Special Economic Crime at the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police, in a press conference at the Criminal Investigation Agency Building, Jakarta, Thursday.

TPPU Mode of Operation Through PT AJP

Brigadier General Helfi explained that the modus operandi used in this case involved PT AJP as the recipient of funds from the account of suspect FH, which were then used to build the Aruss Hotel in the 2020–2022 period. The total detected transactions reached Rp40.56 billion, allegedly originating from online gambling activities such as Dafabet, Agen138, and online soccer betting.

After the hotel began operating, the proceeds from the management of the Aruss Hotel were channeled back to PT AJP and enjoyed by FH, who served as a commissioner in the company. PT AJP itself has been established since 2007 with its main business focus in the property sector.

Covert Fund Flows and Confiscation of Evidence

From the investigation, Dittipideksus found that funds flowed into PT AJP's account, both from FH and five other holding accounts, which were allegedly used to disguise the origin of the funds. The five accounts consist of one account in the name of OR, RF, MG, and two accounts in the name of KB.

“This aims to obscure the origin of the money received by PT AJP, so that it is managed to build the hotel. Then, the hotel's operating results are enjoyed by FH,” explained Brigadier General Helfi.

The police have confiscated evidence worth Rp103.2 billion originating from 15 accounts. Previously, a total of 17 accounts had been blocked because they were suspected of being related to online gambling transactions in the 2020–2022 period.

Articles Charged and Criminal Sanctions

PT AJP is suspected of violating Article 6 juncto Article 69 of Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering, as well as Article 27 paragraph (2) of Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning ITE, and/or Article 303 of the Criminal Code.

“The threat of criminal sanctions is a maximum fine of Rp100 billion,” said Brigadier General Helfi.

Meanwhile, suspect FH is charged with Article 4 juncto Article 69 of Law Number 8 of 2010, Article 27 paragraph (2) of Law Number 1 of 2024, and/or Article 303 of the Criminal Code.

Previously, Dittipideksus had also confiscated the Aruss Hotel in Semarang, which is managed by PT AJP, as part of the ongoing legal process.