A couple’s dream wedding turned into a nightmare after they allegedly fell victim to a fraudulent wedding organizer (WO) based in East Jakarta, resulting in a financial loss of Rp 85.5 million.
The couple, Aldi (32) and Feny (32), recounted their ordeal after discovering the vendor had disappeared just days before their scheduled reception. Feny explained that she initially discovered the organizer, Marwah, through Instagram. Drawn by their professional-looking packages and price list, she proceeded to pay an initial down payment.
The couple felt reassured after attending a food tasting event hosted by the organizer, where they saw various staff members, including decorators, makeup artists, and masters of ceremonies. Following this, they visited the organizer’s office in Jakarta Garden City (JGC), Cakung, to conduct fittings. They continued to make payments in stages, eventually paying the balance in full by early April 2026, and even opted to increase the guest count as late as May 11, 2026.
Red Flags Emerge
Suspicion first arose during a brief, 10-minute online technical meeting. Feny noted that the session was remarkably unprofessional, with the organizer failing to provide details regarding the event timeline or guest management, repeatedly deferring answers to just one day before the wedding. Feny’s concern intensified upon learning of other victims who had complained about late catering and incomplete food orders from the same vendor.
The situation reached a breaking point on May 13, 2026—ten days before the wedding—when the Islamic Center Bekasi contacted the couple. The venue reported that the wedding organizer had only paid a deposit of Rp 6 million, leaving an outstanding balance of Rp 17.5 million.
The Organizer Vanishes
Despite repeated attempts to contact the organizer, the couple received no clear responses. On the eve of their wedding, they visited the JGC office, only to find the premises empty. They eventually tracked the owner to a warehouse in the Rorotan area. Although the organizer provided excuses about pending deposits and even signed a stamped statement promising to fulfill their obligations, the owner soon fled the site.
The couple realized their reception would not proceed when they saw catering and decoration staff leaving the site, citing a lack of direction and payment from the owner. In a desperate move to save the ceremony, the couple personally contacted various vendors, such as the makeup artist and the MC, to secure their services independently for the religious wedding ceremony.
While the reception was ultimately canceled, the couple managed to hold a modest ceremony at the venue. On the night of May 24, Aldi and Feny officially filed a report with the East Jakarta Metropolitan Police, providing digital evidence, transfer receipts, and the signed statement as proof of the alleged fraud.
Police Call for Reports
The East Jakarta Metropolitan Police has encouraged other victims of this wedding organizer to step forward. “We invite those affected to file a report,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit at the East Jakarta Police, Bayu Kurniawan. He confirmed that the police are prepared to process all complaints regarding the alleged fraud associated with the office in Cakung to ensure justice for the victims.
Summary
A couple, Aldi and Feny, reportedly fell victim to a fraudulent East Jakarta wedding organizer, Marwah, losing Rp 85.5 million. They initially found the WO on Instagram, were reassured by professional packages, a food tasting event, and office visits, leading them to pay the full amount. However, red flags emerged during an unprofessional technical meeting and when the venue informed them of an unpaid balance.
Just days before their wedding, the organizer became unreachable, their office was found empty, and the owner fled after making false promises. As a result, their wedding reception was canceled, though the couple managed to hold a modest ceremony by directly contacting vendors. Aldi and Feny have since filed a police report, and the East Jakarta Police are encouraging other potential victims to come forward.