Headline: UIN Makassar Counterfeit Money Case: Police Struggle to Control Spread, 19 Suspects Named
Subheadline: Police admit difficulty in controlling the circulation of near-perfect counterfeit money created at UIN Alauddin Makassar’s campus.
Article:
Makassar, CNN Indonesia — The Chief of the South Sulawesi Regional Police, Irjen Pol Yudhiawan Wibisono, has admitted that counterfeit money created at the campus of the Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Makassar is proving difficult to control. The counterfeit currency, which closely resembles genuine notes, has started circulating in society.
"We’ve lost control of the money circulating now," Yudhiawan said on Monday (30/12).
Yudhiawan warned that those who receive the counterfeit money stand to lose out, as it cannot be exchanged for genuine currency. "If found in the field, it can’t be exchanged because it’s counterfeit," he added.
The police chief revealed that the counterfeit money, designed by UIN Alauddin Makassar students, is nearly indistinguishable from real currency. "It’s almost perfect, and when we use ultraviolet light, it shows signs of forgery," he explained.
However, the counterfeit notes can fool members of the public who are not trained in spotting them. "To the average person, it seems like real money, but it’s actually counterfeit," Yudhiawan said.
A total of 19 suspects have been named in the case involving the counterfeit money factory at UIN Alauddin Makassar. Two more are listed as ‘Wanted’ (DPO). The main suspect is a prominent businessman and politician with the initials ASS.
After 12 hours of interrogation at the Gowa District Police, ASS was officially named a suspect and later transferred to the Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar due to health concerns, including a history of heart and prostate issues.
