JAKARTA – The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police has unearthed a massive scheme involving the illicit misuse of subsidized fuel and LPG, spanning from 2025 to April 2026. This extensive operation has caused staggering potential state losses estimated at Rp1.2 trillion, impacting national finances and public welfare.
According to Deputy Head of Bareskrim, Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin, the significant financial impact stems from approximately Rp516 billion lost due to the misuse of subsidized fuel, coupled with an estimated Rp749 billion from fraudulent subsidized LPG practices. Speaking at Bhayangkara Field in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Nunung emphasized, “These criminal acts of subsidized fuel and LPG misuse have resulted in potential state financial leakage amounting to a colossal Rp1,266,160,963,200.”
Brigadier General Moh Irhamni, Director of Certain Crimes (Dirtipidter) at Bareskrim Polri, further detailed the enforcement actions taken against these rampant subsidized fuel and LPG abuses. In 2025 alone, authorities successfully uncovered and prosecuted 658 cases of subsidy misuse, leading to the apprehension of 583 suspects.
The perpetrators’ cunning energy misuse spanned an alarming 33 provinces, from Aceh in the west to Papua in the east, highlighting the nationwide scale of this energy crime. During 2025, Bareskrim, in collaboration with regional police forces, confiscated substantial evidence, including:
- 1,182,388 liters of diesel fuel
- 127,019 liters of Pertalite fuel
- 17,516 cylinders of 3-kilogram LPG
- 516 cylinders of 5.5-kilogram LPG
- 4,945 cylinders of 12-kilogram LPG
- 422 cylinders of 50-kilogram LPG
Continuing their resolute efforts, by April 2026, police nationwide had already handled 97 additional cases across various Indonesian regions, apprehending 89 more suspects. The evidence seized this year includes:
- 112,663 liters of diesel fuel
- 7,096 cylinders of 3-kilogram LPG
- 425 cylinders of 5.5-kilogram LPG
- 3,113 cylinders of 12-kilogram LPG
- 315 cylinders of 50-kilogram LPG
In total, from 2025 through April 2026, the Directorate of Certain Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, working closely with provincial police forces, has successfully exposed 755 criminal cases involving the misuse of subsidized fuel and LPG. These operations have led to the arrest of 672 individuals implicated in these offenses across 33 provinces, demonstrating a comprehensive nationwide crackdown.
Modus Operandi: Unmasking the Deception
Irhamni elaborated on the sophisticated methods employed by these criminals to execute their illicit operations. A common tactic for subsidized fuel misuse involved repeatedly purchasing subsidized diesel from multiple gas stations. This fuel was then secretly hoarded, or ‘ditimbun,’ before being resold to industrial consumers at significantly inflated prices.
Another prevalent method saw perpetrators using trucks modified with larger, hidden storage tanks to acquire subsidized fuel. Once acquired, this fuel was then illegally sold at non-subsidized market rates, bypassing official channels and intended beneficiaries.
Further deceptive practices included the use of fake license plates, allowing criminals to manipulate barcodes and evade Pertamina’s stringent monitoring and security systems. Additionally, some syndicates engaged in collusion with unscrupulous gas station attendants, securing unauthorized quotas of subsidized fuel that were then diverted for illicit gains.
The LPG subsidy fraud involved a distinct strategy: perpetrators would illicitly transfer the contents of smaller 3-kilogram subsidized LPG cylinders into larger 12-kilogram and 50-kilogram cylinders. These repackaged cylinders were then sold to consumers at non-subsidized prices, exploiting the price difference and the subsidy intended for smaller cylinders.
Irhamni underscored Bareskrim’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law with firmness, professionalism, and transparency, thereby safeguarding national interests and public welfare. He also drew attention to the broader geopolitical landscape, stating, “Especially given the current situation with conflicts in the Middle East causing a rise in global fuel prices, this consequently impacts fuel prices in our country and for Indonesian society.” This highlights the critical importance of combating domestic energy fraud amidst international market volatility.
For their criminal acts, the perpetrators face charges under Article 55 of Law No. 22/2001 concerning Oil and Gas, as subsequently amended by Article 40 (9) of Law No. 6/2023 concerning the Enactment of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2/2022 on Job Creation. The penalties for these offenses include a maximum imprisonment of six years and a substantial fine of up to Rp60 billion, underscoring the severe legal consequences awaiting those who exploit essential public subsidies.
Summary
The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police has uncovered an extensive illicit scheme involving the misuse of subsidized fuel and LPG from 2025 to April 2026. This massive operation resulted in potential state losses estimated at a colossal Rp1.26 trillion. The crimes, impacting 33 provinces nationwide, led to 755 cases and the arrest of 672 suspects.
Perpetrators employed various deceptive tactics, including repeatedly purchasing and hoarding subsidized fuel for resale to industrial clients, and illicitly transferring contents from smaller subsidized LPG cylinders into larger ones to sell at non-subsidized prices. Other methods involved modified trucks, fake license plates, and collusion with gas station attendants. Those apprehended face charges under Article 55 of Law No. 22/2001, carrying penalties of up to six years imprisonment and a Rp60 billion fine.