A 26-year-old man in Kendari, Indonesia has admitted to filing a false mugging report with police after losing money on online casino sites, according to local authorities. The fabricated story went viral on social media before officers uncovered the truth behind the supposed violent robbery.

The man, identified only by the initials ME, walked into a Kendari police station on Sunday afternoon claiming four attackers on two motorcycles had stopped him in the street at 1 p.m. He provided detailed descriptions of the assailants and their vehicles, stating they had stolen his bag and wallet before fleeing.

Police investigators quickly spotted inconsistencies in the account. Under further questioning, ME confessed the mugging never happened. His bag and IDR 2.3 million (approximately £108) had indeed been stolen, but earlier that morning whilst he was washing his car outside his home in the Poasia District.

Covering Up Gambling Losses

What actually happened was far more mundane than highway robbery. ME had burned through around $180 in an unsuccessful online casino session and needed to explain the missing funds to his wife. So he seized on the genuine theft to construct a more dramatic story, claiming the fictional muggers had escaped with IDR 5.3 million, roughly $315.

Officers said ME admitted he “was afraid his wife would scold him for spending his money on online gambling sites.” The elaborate cover-up shows the lengths some players will go to when trying to hide losses from family members.

Part of a Growing Pattern

This isn’t an isolated incident. Just two months earlier, police in East Java’s Pacitan Regency charged another man with filing a fake robbery report to explain away his own online casino losses. That case involved similarly theatrical details, including claims of being beaten by highway bandits who stole both his money and his motorcycle.

Investigators discovered the wound was self-inflicted. Plus they tracked down the motorcycle to a friend who had legitimately purchased it from the suspect himself. Like the Kendari case, the man had posted his fabricated story on social media before filing an official police complaint.

The pattern reflects broader concerns in Indonesia about problem gambling behaviour. Medical professionals across the country have reported sharp increases in the number of patients seeking treatment for gambling-related issues. Some psychiatric wards say they’re now treating hundreds of gambling-addicted patients, with bed occupancy rates exceeding 90% at peak periods.

Regulatory Challenges

Indonesia’s anti-money laundering agency has also noted concerning trends, particularly around religious holidays. For the second consecutive year, officials recorded a significant spike in gambling deposits following the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. This suggests players are using holiday funds to chase losses or increase their stakes.

The cases highlight the challenges facing Indonesian authorities as they attempt to enforce strict gambling prohibitions whilst online operators continue to accept Indonesian players. The combination of legal restrictions and easy online access appears to be creating situations where players feel compelled to construct elaborate deceptions rather than seek help or be honest with family members about their gambling activity.

Both men now face potential charges for filing false police reports, adding legal troubles to their existing financial difficulties.