Disguised as a police officer, a man scammed four teenagers and stole phones worth IDR 18 million.

A 35-year-old man who impersonated a police officer to steal phones from four teenagers in Batam has been sentenced to two years in prison. The brazen scam shocked the Bengkong community and raised concerns about public trust in law enforcement.

Disguised As Authority, Executed a Scam

Mawanto bin Marjohan, 35, received a two-year prison sentence from the Batam District Court for fraud. The verdict was handed down on June 30, 2025, in a public hearing led by Judge Welly Irdianto and members Watimena and Verdian. Mawanto was found guilty under Article 378 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code concerning fraud.

The sentence was one year lighter than the three-year prison term sought by Prosecutor Tri Yanuarti. Despite the ruling, Mawanto showed no remorse. Instead, he smirked and said, “I accept, Your Honor,” after hearing the decision.

March Deception In Bengkong

The case stemmed from an incident on March 11, 2025, around 10 a.m., when Mawanto approached four teenagers—Sebastian Paraja Maros Sihombing, Christian Paraja Maros Sihombing, Kris Jon Napitupulu, and Cholin Scot Manulang—loitering at Kanal Bengkong City.

Claiming to be a “zone enforcer” tied to the local police station, he warned them about illegal racing in the area. Using this fabricated authority, he demanded their phones under the pretext of preparing a non-return agreement. The teens handed over four phones: Oppo A78, Poco F4 GT, Redmi 10 2022, and Realme C2.

Victim Abandoned, Suspect Vanishes

Mawanto then took Cholin on his motorcycle, claiming they would draft the necessary paperwork in Bengkong Laut. Upon arrival, he left Cholin stranded and vanished with three phones. The total estimated loss was IDR 18 million (approx. SGD 1,440).

Court Weighs Aggravating And Mitigating Factors

Judge Watimena stated that while Mawanto’s cooperative attitude and partial restitution were considered, the use of false state authority was deeply troubling. “The act disturbed public order and tarnished trust in legal institutions,” he added.

This case is one of many involving police impersonators in Batam, fueling concerns over impersonation crimes and the ease with which civilians can be deceived.

Prosecutor Accepts Ruling

Despite the reduced sentence, Prosecutor Tri Yanuarti expressed acceptance of the decision. “We respect the court’s ruling,” she said following the verdict.

The case has reignited conversations about youth safety and the need for public awareness of legal protocol when approached by individuals claiming to be authorities.

This incident highlights the growing concern of impersonation fraud in Indonesia, especially in rapidly urbanizing areas like Batam. For both locals and neighboring Singaporeans who frequently travel to the Riau Islands, the case underscores the importance of verifying authority and reporting suspicious behavior. It also calls for stronger enforcement against misuse of state identity.

Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Batamtoday.com (2025)

Keywords: Fake Police Officer, Phone Theft Batam, Mawanto Marjohan, Bengkong Crime, Teen Victims, Court Sentence