Buying a car online or "win" one as a prize may be risky in Indonesia, but even more risky is to rent a car rental alleged celebrity.
A failed singer used her celebrity status Minimum renting dozens of cars, then pawn them for quick cash.
The author had Jajang R. Haris (28), a would-be celebrity who was a contestant on Kontes Dangdut Indonesia (KDI), a singing competition show that was broadcast on the IPT network and is now broadcast by MNCTV.
Jajang appeared on the first season of KDI in 2004 and claimed to have reached the final. But his singing career did not take off. Instead, he ended up working as an extra on soap operas and movies -. A job that does not pay well for local actors in Indonesia
ThereSix months Jajang decided to supplement his income by renting scamming car dealerships Depok and Bogor, south of Jakarta. He and his two accomplices, Didi Ahmadi and Rizki, would rent cars and the pledge for as little as each Rp.5 million.
Jajang modus operandi was to approach the rental owners and explain that he and his crew needed a couple of cars to get to meetings of shooting for films and emissions of TV. He show them YouTube videos of his performances, and some pictures of social media status of dubious fame, as if that would make him more trustworthy. He was often able to rent cars without providing any guarantee or warranty.
The gang eventually fly 43 rental cars, two of which belonging to a command of a member of the Strategic Army Reserve (Kostrad).
Police began investigating after Depok Jajang a rental owner, Farabi Anggriawan (30), May 5, complained the singer failed to return two cars that had been leased to Rp.3 million for 10 days.
Jajang and Didi were arrested last week, but Rizki was still at large. Police said most of the stolen cars were Toyota and Daihatsu Avanzas Xenias. Last week, police had managed to recover 22 vehicles.
May 25, Jajang appeared at a police press conference. Wearing a balaclava and handcuffs, he tried to appear contrite, offering an apology to all the victims and "any person who is aggrieved" by his actions. He said he pawned cars to pay off its debts and cover his living expenses. Police suspect the crooks may have supported a drug habit and will test them for drugs.
A rental owners was Sergeant Major Ponidi Wardoyo (51) Kostrad. He said Jajang rented a Toyota Avanza and Etios him in April. The rental money was originally paid for a few days, but the cars were not returned by the due date.
Ponidi visited the address Jajang had given him - a house in Leuwiliang, a small town near Bogor - but there was
.The military was grateful that the police then recovers its cars. He said he left the company car rental - and sell its five cars -. Because it was too stressful
Police said the victims are asked to collect their cars, provided may show ownership and registration documents and proof of identity.
Jajang and Didi could face up to five years in prison for theft and fraud.
'Just For Fun'
Beware of online marketplaces offering cars at prices that seem too good to be true. They can be stolen or nonexistent.
Regha Aprilian (25), a resident of the capital of East Java Surabaya, created a fake profile for himself on a car sales website. He then copied and pasted an existing ad for a car, but replaced the contact number with its own number.
himself as the brother of the original vendor, he offered the car to Rp.65 million and soon had a buyer. The man posted bail of Rp.2 million in cash and Rp.9 million by bank transfer, the balance to be paid in installments upon delivery.
The vehicle in question was originally - and legitimately - been put on sale by Etopia Bintarti, a hospital worker. By discovering the announcement had been hijacked, Etopia Regha asked to meet at the hospital to discuss business. When crook arrived, he was arrested by police.
Regha said he often shopped online and thought it would be fun to see if he could scamming people. "It was originally just for fun really. It was only once," he said.
Free Car, No
Another common scam involves placing fake prize coupons for cars and motorbikes food and drinks brand inside, such as instant noodles, processed snacks, energy sugar-filled drinks and instant coffee.
The authentic-looking coupons have the logo of a company of big names such as Bimoli, Indofood, Food Wings, Tora Bika and many others. The coupons state that the recipient has won a free vehicle that can be claimed by calling a phone number. When calling the number, the "winner" will be asked to pay registration fees for vehicles, property documents, processing fees and taxes that may arise from Rp.5 million to Rp.20 million.
If you ever find such a coupon price, and you think it may be true, then call the company on its official number of customer service and find out if there really a gift car or motorbike. You may also consider moving the coupon to the police.
Last November, police Semarang, Central Java, busted a syndicate that produced counterfeit print coupons that were inserted in packaged foods. Besides fake company logos, coupons also featured a police stamp, the stamp of a notary and a stamp of government.
The police said the group, which had seven members, won about Rp.300 million to Rp.600 million a month from people who thought they had won "free" vehicles.