Indonesian authorities have started questioning three men in connection with a case involving counterfeit Singapore $10,000 banknotes used at a casino in Singapore. The suspects include HD, 62, a member of a Batam-based martial arts security group, businessman AN, 56, and an employee identified as EAK, 43.
The investigation centers on an Indonesian businessman, known only as Steven, who allegedly used 34 counterfeit $10,000 notes during three visits to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) casino in June. The fake notes were reportedly accepted by the casino and exchanged for casino chips before their authenticity was challenged.
South Tangerang police have coordinated with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on the matter. Officers met with SPF representatives, including the Singapore police attaché in Jakarta, via Zoom on September 14 to discuss the case. Indonesian investigators requested official confirmation from the SPF regarding the counterfeit status of the 34 banknotes, which were dated 1973. However, they had only received a seizure receipt describing the notes as “believed to be non-genuine.”
An SPF spokesperson confirmed that a report had been filed and that investigations remain ongoing. The South Tangerang police chief did not respond to requests for further details.
Steven, the businessman at the center of the case, denies any wrongdoing. His Jakarta-based lawyer, Yosia Ginting, stated that Steven was an unwitting victim of fraud and was unaware that the notes were counterfeit. According to Yosia, Steven received the notes as payment for a shophouse he was selling in South Tangerang, a satellite city near Jakarta.
Evidence submitted to police includes videos showing each of the three suspects handing $10,000 notes to Steven, accompanied by statements acknowledging a commission arrangement and assuming full risk if the money was counterfeit or seized.
Saleh Balfas, the lawyer representing AN, said his client was also a victim in the case, asserting that the counterfeit notes AN gave Steven originated from HD. Saleh denied claims that AN agreed to purchase Steven’s shophouse with the $10,000 notes, stating there was no such agreement. According to Saleh, Steven agreed to exchange the large denominations into smaller notes, retain his commission, and return the remainder.
A timeline provided by Steven’s lawyer outlines the sequence of events. On June 8, a man named Anthony (initials AN) gave Steven a $10,000 note at a Jakarta café, explaining it could not be exchanged in Indonesia. Steven then traveled to Singapore, where banks and money changers refused to change the note. He was referred by a VIP host to RWS casino, where the note was allegedly verified and exchanged for chips.
On June 11, Anthony handed Steven 33 additional $10,000 notes to exchange into smaller denominations in Singapore. Anthony also expressed intent to buy Steven’s shophouse, valued at approximately 4.5 billion rupiah (S$320,000), promising to pay once the cash was received in smaller bills.
Steven visited Singapore again on June 12, depositing 27 of the notes into his casino account and keeping six at home in Indonesia. He later attempted to use the six notes as payment for a house in Pamulang, Banten, on June 22 but was unable to have them exchanged locally.
On June 26, Steven was stopped by casino security and police in Singapore. Authorities noted that the serial numbers of some notes matched those previously exchanged, prompting further questioning. Steven surrendered his passport and phone and was told to remain in Singapore for an extended period.
The $10,000 banknote denomination was first issued in 1973 and discontinued in 2014 to reduce risks of money laundering and terrorism financing. Despite discontinuation, these notes remain legal tender. Under Singapore law, the use of forged or counterfeit currency carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.