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| Land Sale Scam in Banten: Man Arrested for Selling Property He Didn't Own. |
Banten, Indonesia – A land scam case has surfaced in Banten, where a 56-year-old man identified by the initials DS has been officially named a suspect by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) of the Banten Regional Police. DS allegedly sold a piece of land that he falsely claimed was his, when in fact, the land legally belongs to a company named PT Arta Lingga Manik.
This deceptive scheme came to light following a police report filed by Dedi Haryadi, a member of the Banten Provincial Parliament from the Gerindra Party. The case has been officially registered under the report number LP/B/181/VII/2023/SPKT II.DITRESKRIMUM/POLDA BANTEN, dated July 25, 2023.
How the Fraud Unfolded
According to the police, the transaction took place around June 2020 at two popular locations in Serang City—a local fish soup restaurant near Alun-Alun (the town square) and a coffee shop called Kopi Jalu, located on Jl. Abdul Hadi in Kebon Jahe.
At that time, DS convinced the victim to buy a 2,551 square meter plot of land located in Nagara Village, Kibin District, Serang Regency. Acting on DS’s claims, Dedi Haryadi assigned Sarja Kusuma Atmaja to carry out the payment on his behalf, amounting to IDR 386,500,000 (approximately $24,000 USD at the time).
However, once the payment was made, the victim was unable to gain control over the land. Not long after, PT Arta Lingga Manik sent a legal notice (somasi) asserting that the land was their registered property, backed by an official Building Use Rights Certificate (SHGB).
This confirmation proved that DS was not the rightful owner, and the sale was fraudulent from the beginning. As a result, Dedi Haryadi became a victim of fraud and embezzlement, with a total financial loss of IDR 382,650,000.
Legal Consequences for the Suspect
Police Commissioner Dian Setyawan, Head of the Criminal Investigation Directorate at Banten Police, stated that DS has been charged under Article 378 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (regarding fraud) and Article 372 (regarding embezzlement). If convicted, DS could face up to 4 years in prison.
"This is a clear example of how important it is to verify land ownership before making any purchase. Just because someone claims to own land doesn’t make it true. Always check the legal documents thoroughly," said Commissioner Dian during a press conference on April 17, 2025.
A Reminder for the Public: Stay Alert in Property Deals
Cases like this highlight the ongoing risk of land fraud in Indonesia. Fraudsters often prey on buyers by using fake ownership claims or documents that seem legitimate at first glance.
To avoid falling victim to similar scams, here are some practical tips for safe land buying:
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Always check the land title and ownership documents with the National Land Agency (BPN).
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Hire a certified notary or land deed official (PPAT) to oversee the transaction.
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Be cautious of unusually cheap offers, especially if the seller is in a rush to close the deal.
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Don’t rely on verbal agreements or informal arrangements—get everything in writing and notarized.
This case serves as a strong reminder to the public that land transactions must always be done carefully and legally. Even public figures can fall victim to well-planned scams if proper verification steps are skipped.
The Banten Police have assured the public that they will continue to crack down on property-related fraud and will take strict action against those who try to exploit others for personal gain.
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