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In South Sulawesi’s Pinrang Regency, an alarming romance scam unfolded in August 2025 when a 27-year-old man, Ramli, discovered his “bride” was actually a man disguised in wedding attire.
According to local reports and video coverage, Ramli met the person, known as Simpatri (alias Widya), via TikTok in June 2025.
Their relationship progressed via WhatsApp, and Ramli, convinced by social media interactions, transferred IDR 25 million (approx.) to help with wedding documents and support a marriage he believed genuine.
On August 12, 2025, the ceremony took place—but when Ramli’s family removed the veil, they were shocked to see the bride had a beard.
Furious villagers immediately confronted the perpetrator, who was then secured by Pinrang police at the local precinct.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the rise of identity-based romance fraud in Indonesia, where criminals exploit emotions via social media to extract money from victims. It underscores the importance of public vigilance and robust legal responses.
Video of the incident
regional scam statistics—e.g., growth rates of romance-based frauds in Indonesia or South Sulawesi—to underscore the trend.
Outbound Links for Further Learning:
- Indonesia National Police – Cybercrime Division (for official advice on fraud prevention)
- Antara News – Reports on online fraud trends in Indonesia
