Indonesian National Police Confiscated the Aruss Hotel in Suspect of Money Laundering in Semarang

On Monday, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police has conducted a press meet in which they revealed about the confiscation of the 4-Star hotel Aruss Hotel in Semarang based on the received suspects and allegations of illegal online gambling and the activities of money laundering which is gained through TPPU (Tindak Pidana Pencucian Uang). For the past few years, Indonesia has been encountering a rise in online gambling activities and to prevent this the government has also shut down around 2 million online websites which encourages such activities. This was confirmed by the communication minister of Indonesia during the month of June 2024.

“We have been investigating the process for some time. We see that the asset is in the form of one unit of the Aruss Hotel in Semarang, Central Java. What is managed by PT AJP comes from funds transferred from FH’s account through 5 accounts, the first one account from OR, RF, MG, and two accounts from KV” said Helfi Assegaf Brigadier General and Director of Special Economic Crimes at the Criminal Investigation Unit of INP.

The total value of the money involved in such activities is estimated as IDR 40.5 billion. They have also monitored the strong flow of the gambling money from the TPPU in the Aruss Hotel, thereby seizing the hotel on Monday.

“As well as the results of cash withdrawals and cash deposits made by GP and AS. With a total value of IDR 40,560,000,000… Investigators have also blocked 17 renings suspected of carrying out transactions resulting from online gambling in the 2020 to 2022 period with a total of Rp 72,335,550,082.24.

The success of disclosing this case is certainly inseparable from the help of our colleagues, our partners, from the Attorney General’s Office, PPATK, OJK, Komdigi and the coordinating Minister for political, legal and security affairs” added Helfi Assegaf Brigadier General and Director of Special Economic Crimes at the Criminal Investigation Unit of INP.