East Java police arrest 3 suspects in Rp1.1 billion love scam
Police said 53 women ages 45-60 were victimized, while Immigration is still probing 2 other foreign nationals.
The East Java Police dismantled an online fraud ring using fake romantic relationships that cheated 53 Indonesians out of about Rp1.1 billion. Three suspects were detained: Lilik Nurhaidah, GKG alias Gojo Kelvin Grace from Ghana, and AV alias Ace Vitus from Ivory Coast. The case came to light after the East Java Police cyber team, together with Immigration and the Sidoarjo Police, examined suspected residence-permit violations at an apartment in Surabaya.
According to police, the network had operated since August 2025 and targeted women ages 45 to 60 through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. One of the suspects used the false identity “Haji Kamar Zaki” or “Haji Kamal Zaki” and promised luxury gifts. Victims were then asked to transfer money on the pretext that a package had been held up by Customs or for administrative fees. Two other foreign nationals, MCK and MCE, remain in Immigration detention as the investigation continues.