March 8, 2023
JAKARTA – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) revealed on Tuesday that the amount of money kept in more than 40 frozen bank accounts possibly linked to tax official Rafael Alun Trisambodo could amount to Rp 500 billion (US$32 million).
PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana confirmed the details on Tuesday and added that the amount could likely increase.
“The amount we have frozen reaches Rp 500 billion and that could increase,” Ivan was quoted by Kompas daily.
Ivan also said the agency suspected that Rafael could have been involved in a money laundering scheme and that the tax official could have worked with others in the scheme.
“This significant number of transactions does not match his profile and he could have assigned others as an intermediary or nominee,” Ivan said.
On Monday, the PPATK froze dozens of bank accounts possibly linked to Rafael, including accounts belonging to his personal tax consultants, following its probe into the unusually huge wealth of the middle-ranking taxman.
Separately on Tuesday, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) began its probe into the Yogyakarta Customs and Excise Office head Eko Darmanto, another tax official suspected of accumulating illicit wealth.
The KPK has confirmed that Eko had agreed to meet a summons from investigators to give clarification regarding his wealth.
Internet sleuths have in the past weeks uploaded photos of Eko posing in front of expensive cars, big bikes and a Cessna aircraft, prompting the Finance Ministry to take action against the official.
Last week, the Finance Ministry relieved Eko from his position as head of Yogyakarta Customs and Excise Office.