Can you turn IDR1 million (US$73) into IDR1 billion (US$73,000)? Let us not be overly pessimistic and say outright that it’s impossible. But while it’s highly unlikely, the possibility seems to have enticed local residents in Bali’s Tabanan regency with authorities looking into a possible scam promising riches through a comparably meager investment.
I Made Budi Astawa, who heads the Selemadeg sub-district police in Tabanan, told Kompas that eight people have reportedly joined the program, referred to as Noto Rogo.
“In plain view, we see this as a possible crime. But we are still looking into it because no one has filed a report nor come out as a victim,” Astawa said, adding that his officers have informed local residents that the program is possibly a scam.
However, Astawa said those who have joined and paid their IDR1 million didn’t seem bothered nor felt like they were scammed.
“But the residents who have joined insisted that they are okay with it. Maybe they are obsessed with the possibility of getting IDR1 billion,” he added.
According to reports, the coordinator of Noto Rogo held a meeting in Selemadeg on Jan. 27, which saw about 40 local residents in attendance. A number of them wired money after the meeting to a designated coordinator for Tabanan, who is initially believed to be living in the area. Police said that they have tried to trace this coordinator to his alleged home, but found that the address was inaccurate.
“We are still looking and investigating this case. We are also pooling data of local residents who have joined the program,” Astawa said, as quoted by Tribun.
More details on Noto Rogo are not yet available, but it reminds us that elaborate scams are unfortunately not that unusual in Indonesia. Just last month, police in Central Java arrested the leaders of a so-called “kingdom” in the province claiming to have descended from the Majapahit Empire, which was later found out to be a money-making scam as it charged gullible followers membership fees.
