Unaware of the Friendly Attitude, Mother in Jombang Cheated into Selling Goat for 23 Million Rupiah and Left at the Stall

That night, Zuliatin (47) never imagined she would lose all of her goats. The resident of Sumberbendo Village intended to sell eight of her goats through an online platform. However, that good intention ended bitterly – she became a victim of fraud and was left alone at a food stall in Jombang.

This story began on Sunday night around 7:00 PM. Zuliatin’s nephew uploaded photos of the goats for sale to social media. Shortly after, a man named MS (42), a resident of Selorejo Village, Mojowarno District, responded to the post and claimed he wanted to buy them.

The perpetrator arrived politely and appeared convincing. He brought a black Grand Max with license plate N 8148 RF to transport the goats that he said he would buy for IDR 23 million. Without suspicion, Zuliatin along with her husband and child followed the perpetrator’s invitation to his house to complete the payment.

“I trusted him because he seemed very nice, polite, and didn’t look suspicious,” recalled Zuliatin in a soft tone.

However, during the journey, the perpetrator pretended to want to buy drinks at a food stall. He then asked Zuliatin and her child to wait there, while her husband was taken to buy goat feed in the Plumbongambang area, Gudo District.

Minutes turned to hours, and the perpetrator never returned. His phone suddenly couldn’t be reached. Panic overwhelmed Zuliatin.

“I was left at the food stall, he said he was just buying ice. My husband was taken too, but he didn’t come back for a long time. After two hours, I tried to call the perpetrator, but his number was already inactive,” she said.

It was later discovered that Zuliatin’s husband was also abandoned in the Gudo area. Meanwhile, their eight goats were taken by the perpetrator who immediately fled.

Feeling cheated, Zuliatin’s family immediately reported to the Jombang Police. Thanks to the quick report, police were able to track the perpetrator’s whereabouts and arrested him in Glidah Hamlet, Gampeng Village, Ngluyu District, Nganjuk Regency. Along with the perpetrator, police also secured evidence in the form of eight goats.

“We arrested the suspect on the same day at 3:20 PM. He is currently detained,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation.

The head added that the perpetrator was not new to crime. He had been imprisoned twice – first in 2002 for theft, and second in 2023 for car fraud and embezzlement cases.

Now, MS must face the law again and is charged under Article 378 of the Criminal Code and/or Article 372 of the Criminal Code regarding fraud and embezzlement, with a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

The story that happened to Zuliatin serves as a warning to the public, especially breeders or online traders, to be more careful with new, unfamiliar buyers. Because, friendliness and polite behavior don’t necessarily reflect good intentions.

“I just wanted to sell for family needs, but instead got scammed. I hope no one else experiences what I went through,” Zuliatin said softly.