Bojongsari Extortion Case: Four Arrested, One at Large

In a meaningful move against organized crime, the Jakarta Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate has apprehended four individuals allegedly involved in an extortion scheme operating in the Bojongsari area of Depok, West Java. The arrests, made on Friday, May 16, 2025, target members of the Betawi Rempug Forum (FBR), a local organization.

Those taken into custody include M, the Chairperson of the FBR Bojongsari Branch, AK (also known as W), the Secretary-General, and two additional members identified as NN and Hospital. Authorities are currently pursuing IM (alias P), another member of the organization, who remains at large and has been placed on the People’s Search List (DPO).

Victims Targeted Since 2021

According to police reports, M and AK (alias W) have been systematically extorting money from local business owners in the Bojongsari Baru area since 2021. The scheme involved demanding payments from shopkeepers and othre establishments under the guise of providing “security.”

The suspects carried out extortion and asked for money to the stores and places from 2021 to 2025 in the Bojongsari Baru area.
AKBP Abdul Rahim, Kasubdit Jatanras Ditreskrimum metro Jaya Police

The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by a meatball vendor in Bojongsari Baru Village, who reported being pressured by the suspects. The vendor initially resisted the demands, but was allegedly intimidated, including being physically assaulted and having their stall forcibly closed.

Reportedly, the victim, fearing for their safety, handed over an initial payment of Rp.500,000. The extortion continued, with the perpetrators demanding monthly “security” payments, eventually totaling rp. 1 million.

Evidence Seized, investigation Ongoing

During the arrests, police confiscated several pieces of evidence, including receipts documenting payments from the victims, official documents belonging to M, organizational stamps, five mobile phones used by the suspects, and a collection of records and proposals associated with the FBR. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of the extortion ring’s activities and identify any additional victims.

FBR Leadership responds

Following the arrests,Lutfi Hakim,the Chairperson of the Betawi Rempug Forum (FBR),issued a statement acknowledging the situation and stating that the organization would cooperate fully with the police investigation. Hakim emphasized that the alleged crimes were individual actions and did not represent the organization as a whole.

Let the legal process that speaks, because criminal acts are about human beings, not ethnicity, religion or organization.
Lutfi Hakim, Chairperson of the Betawi Rempug Forum (FBR)

hakim also stated that the FBR would conduct an internal review and implement training programs for its members to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This commitment to self-regulation comes at a time when public scrutiny of organized groups is increasing, with law enforcement agencies under pressure to address issues of extortion and other illegal activities.

The Broader Context: Organized Crime and Extortion in Jakarta

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized crime and extortion in Jakarta and surrounding areas. While official statistics vary,anecdotal evidence suggests that manny small business owners are vulnerable to such schemes,often operating in the shadows due to fear of reprisal. The jakarta Police have recently increased their efforts to combat these activities, launching targeted operations and working to build trust with local communities.

The arrest of these FBR members sends a strong message that such activities will not be tolerated. Though, experts caution that addressing the root causes of organized crime, such as poverty, lack of possibility, and weak governance, is essential for long-term success.