Inp.polri.go.id - Cilegon. The Banten Regional Police said the murder of a minor in Cilegon, Banten, was driven by financial pressure after the suspect suffered heavy losses from cryptocurrency trading, authorities confirmed on Monday (5/1/2026).

“The suspect committed the crime to obtain money to repay debts after incurring major losses in crypto asset trading,” Banten Police Criminal Investigation Director Senior Superintendent Dian Setyawan said, as cited by antaranews.com.

The incident occurred on 16 December 2025, at a residential area in Bukit Baja Sejahtera III, Cilegon. The victim, a young boy, was found dead inside his home with multiple stab wounds. Investigators identified the suspect as a 31-year-old man with the initials HA.

Police said the suspect initially planned a burglary, targeting what he believed to be an empty house. After entering by forcing a window, he encountered the victim, triggering panic and fatal violence.

The suspect has been detained and charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code and the Child Protection Law. The case file is being prepared for prosecution.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)