ISTANA NETIZEN.com, LABUAN BAJO — One WhatsApp message. One fake invoice. And 22 Chinese tourists ended up stranded at Labuan Bajo port.
That was the scheme carried out by a tour broker identified as SO, 33, who was detained by the Manggarai Barat Police Criminal Investigation Unit on Wednesday night, August 12, 2026.
THE MODUS: HIDING IN WHATSAPP GROUPS WITH FAKE OFFICIAL INVOICES
The case began in mid-July 2026. The victim, LN, 56, a Canadian national and manager of _LeBali International Tour_, was looking for a Phinisi boat for a group of 22 tourists scheduled for August 8-10, 2026.
SO entered a WhatsApp group under the name of a fake agency “Danke Adventure”. He promised that the KM. Seven Angel ship was ready to sail.
To gain trust, SO issued a fake invoice that looked official, complete with an 11% VAT breakdown. The victim, convinced, made 3 installment transfers between July 30 and August 4, 2026.
Total: Rp244.2 million for boat rental + Komodo National Park entrance fees.
One day after full payment, the truth came out. SO sent a WhatsApp message admitting: _”The money has been spent for personal use.”_
TOURISTS ARRIVE, NO BOAT IN SIGHT
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, 22 Chinese tourists arrived in Labuan Bajo. What awaited them was disappointment. No boat. No services. Nothing was paid.
_“All of the victim’s money was used by the suspect for personal interests, so operational costs and boat rentals were not paid at all,”_ said AKP Lufthi Darmawan Aditya, Head of Criminal Investigation at Manggarai Barat Police.
SO was arrested on Sunday, August 9, 2026 after police seized bank transfer evidence and WhatsApp chat screenshots. The suspect cooperated and confessed to all charges.
POLICE: THIS ATTACKS LABUAN BAJO’S DPSP IMAGE
According to Lufthi, this case is not just about money. It’s about Labuan Bajo’s reputation as a Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP).
_”We will not give space to tourism criminals who damage Labuan Bajo’s image. The evidence we secured is very complete,”_ Lufthi stated firmly.
SO has been charged under Article 492 of Law No.1 of 2023 of the New Criminal Code on Fraud and Deceit, with a maximum penalty of 4 years in prison. The case file is being finalized for handover to the Manggarai Barat District Prosecutor’s Office.
MESSAGE TO TOURISM ACTORS
The “Danke Adventure” case is a slap in the face. While the government and locals are working to maintain cleanliness and ecotourism, a few brokers are destroying it from within in the dirtiest way: scamming guests.
Labuan Bajo doesn’t need “agents” who sell promises on WhatsApp. Labuan Bajo needs honest tourism operators.***
`Voice of the People, Mirror of the Palace.`
_– http://IstanaNetizen.com -_
Reporter : Tim Redaksi Istana Netizen
Editor : AJ
