Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police arrested two Liberian men on Wednesday following a targeted raid at an apartment in West Jakarta for their alleged involvement in a "black dollar" investment scam.

"We have confirmed the detention of two Liberian citizens, identified as SDT and I, at a residential complex in Meruya, Kembangan, in connection to black dollar fraud," said Senior Inspector Andaru Rahutomo, the Head of Public Information Unit for the Metro Jaya Police, during a press briefing on Thursday (26/3/2026), as cited by antaranews.com.

The West Jakarta Metropolitan Sub-regional Police are currently investigating the suspects, who were captured on video being detained while dining. During the operation, investigators seized a suitcase containing bundles of brown-wrapped materials believed to be the chemical components used to "clean" the counterfeit currency. 

The black dollar tactic typically involves coating foreign banknotes in black carbon to bypass customs and immigration, later tricking victims into purchasing expensive chemicals to restore the bills to their original state. Police are expected to release a full chronological report and total loss estimates in the coming days.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)