Accused Killer in Jakarta Allegedly Cut Power, Used Victim’s Phone in Cover-Up
Table of Contents
Published:
Jakarta — Febri Arifin, 31, also known as Ari or Jamet, stands accused of a meticulously planned cover-up following the deaths of Tjong Sioe Lan, 59, and her son, Eka Serlawati, 35. The victims were discovered in their home in Tambora, West Jakarta. Authorities allege that Arifin, immediately after the March 1, 2025, killings, deliberately cut off the electricity to the residence, a calculated move intended to darken the crime scene and impede the subsequent police investigation.
The details of this alleged scheme were unveiled during a press conference held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, by West Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner Twedi Aditya Bennyahdi at his office. Commissioner Bennyahdi emphasized that Arifin’s actions were not random but rather a intentional attempt to sow confusion and delay the discovery of the heinous crime.
According to police reports, after allegedly committing the murders of Tjong Sioe Lan and Eka Serlawati, Arifin concealed their bodies within a water shelter located on the property. He then allegedly undertook the grim task of cleaning up bloodstains from the floor, attempting to eradicate any visible evidence linking him to the crime.
“Then I also have an idea to turn off some of the home lights, so that there is an electrical problem,”
Twedi Aditya Bennyahdi, West Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner
The alleged cover-up extended beyond the physical manipulation of the crime scene. Arifin is further accused of exploiting Tjong Sioe Lan’s cellphone to send deceptive messages to her other son, Ronny. This calculated act aimed to fabricate a false alibi and further mislead the family, diverting suspicion from himself. The whatsapp message reportedly conveyed the false information that there was an electrical issue at the house.
Commissioner twedi elaborated on the deceptive nature of the message:
“the perpetrators had used a cellphone belonging to the first victim (Enci), contacting the reporter on behalf of Ronny (Enci’s second child) that at home said that at home there was an electric craftsman, because at home there was an electricity disorder, the lights died. So the condition of the lights was turned off,”
Twedi Aditya Bennyahdi, West Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner
Later that same day, at approximately 5:48 p.m., Ronny returned to the family home and encountered Arifin at the door. Unaware of the tragic events that had unfolded, Ronny failed to recognize Arifin, who was reportedly wearing a mask in the dimly lit surroundings created by the intentionally disabled electricity.
“At that time (Ronny) met wiht the perpetrators but did not recognize because his condition was dark and the perpetrators used a mask,”
Twedi aditya Bennyahdi,West Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner
Ronny inquired about his mother’s whereabouts, and Arifin allegedly responded with a fabricated story designed to conceal the truth.
“Then,the perpetrators answered ‘5 minutes ago Mother with my brother left the house’,”
Twedi Aditya Bennyahdi,West Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner
Unsuspecting, Ronny proceeded to take a shower. At 6:56 p.m.,Ronny departed from the house on a motorcycle,leaving Arifin alone inside. According to police investigations, arifin then allegedly searched the house for money he believed tjong Sioe Lan possessed, ultimately stealing Rp 50 million.
Following the alleged theft, Arifin secured the house, ensuring both the door and the gate were locked. He then allegedly disposed of the iron used in the killings by discarding it into the embankment at Kalijodo, further attempting to erase any trace of his involvement.
Jakarta Double Homicide: A Masterclass in Deception and Cover-Up?
Did the alleged killer’s meticulous attempt to cover his tracks in the Jakarta double homicide reveal a chilling level of premeditation, or is this a common tactic in similar crimes?
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Anya Sharma, forensic psychologist and expert in criminal investigative techniques, welcome to World Today News. The Jakarta double homicide case has captivated the world with its intricate cover-up. Let’s delve into the alleged killer’s actions. What immediately strikes you about the methods employed by Febri Arifin, the accused?
Dr. Sharma (DS): Thank you for having me. The Jakarta case is indeed captivating from a criminal psychology outlook. What stands out is the multifaceted nature of Arifin’s alleged cover-up. It wasn’t a single, impulsive act; rather, it was a carefully orchestrated sequence of actions designed to mislead investigators and obscure the crime scene. This suggests complex planning and a high level of premeditation.
SE: The accused allegedly cut the power, cleaned the crime scene, and used the victim’s phone to send misleading messages.How common are these tactics in concealing homicides? Are these indicators of a particular criminal profile?
DS: These are, sadly, not uncommon tactics. Manipulating the crime scene, including disrupting power to hinder forensic analysis, is a standard method employed by perpetrators attempting to cover their tracks. Using a victim’s phone to create a false alibi or disseminate misinformation is also becoming increasingly prevalent thanks to advances in digital dialog and the ubiquitous presence of smart devices. However, the combination of these techniques, executed with such precision, paints a picture of a predator who is highly organized, intelligent, and possibly possesses a narcissistic personality capable of extreme callousness and manipulation.
SE: The alleged killer’s actions seem to suggest an understanding of investigative procedures. Do you think he may have had prior experience with law enforcement or criminal investigation?
DS: This is a critical question. his actions certainly indicate a degree of criminal sophistication and an understanding, perhaps even anticipation, of typical investigative responses. It’s possible he had past involvement with the justice system, though perhaps indirectly, or that he accessed knowledge about forensic practices through various means like media consumption or access to online information. This underlines a clear need for continuous training and awareness campaigns to educate the public about crime prevention and investigative processes. This may help prevent future perpetrators from exploiting gaps in knowledge.
SE: The accused allegedly stole money after the murders. Does this suggest a motive beyond simple murder? Was the robbery opportunistic or planned?
DS: The theft certainly changes the complexity of the case. While the initial focus might be on the homicides themselves, the subsequent theft suggests opportunistic financial gain may have been a secondary—but meaningful—motivation. A planned attempt may include the robbery as part of the initial planning or as an impulsive act after committing the homicides.This requires a deeper investigation to differentiate it. Nonetheless, the theft highlights a core element in manny homicides: the overlap between violence and financial motives should always be considered by law enforcement; the two are often intertwined.
SE: The alleged perpetrator wore a mask when Ronny returned to the house. What insights does this provide into the perpetrator’s mindset?
DS: The mask, employed in an already darkened habitat shows planning and a clear understanding of the potential risks. This emphasizes not merely a desire to avoid identification, but also a deliberate attempt to control perceptions and manipulate Ronny further. It highlights a level of premeditation, demonstrating what he would do even in an unexpected situation like Ronny’s return. this indicates a sophisticated level of planning.
SE: What lessons can law enforcement and the public learn from this case?
DS: This case serves as a strong reminder of the ever-evolving tactics employed by criminals. Law enforcement needs to stay ahead of the curve by continually updating training protocols to incorporate the latest technologies and criminal behavioral patterns. For the public, enhanced digital awareness and crime prevention strategies are crucial to avoiding such scenarios. We must learn to be vigilant and recognize the signs of potential threats. Improved security measures such as enhanced home security systems and alarm services cannot be overemphasized.
SE: Dr. Sharma, thank you for your insightful analysis. This discussion offers crucial takeaways for understanding this intricate case and preventing similar crimes in the future.Readers, what are your thoughts on this case and the strategies employed by the alleged perpetrator? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation on social media!
Jakarta Double Homicide: A Calculated Crime? Unraveling the Psychology of Deception
A chillingly precise cover-up in the jakarta double homicide case raises questions about the perpetrator’s motive,sophistication,and the broader implications for law enforcement and public safety.
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Anya Sharma, forensic psychologist and expert in criminal investigative techniques, welcome to World Today News.The Jakarta double homicide case has captivated the world with its intricate cover-up. Let’s delve into the alleged killer’s actions.What instantly strikes you about the methods employed by Febri Arifin, the accused?
Dr. Sharma (DS): Thank you for having me. The Jakarta case is indeed fascinating from a criminal psychology perspective. What’s striking is the multifaceted nature of Arifin’s alleged cover-up. it wasn’t a single, impulsive act; instead, it was a carefully orchestrated sequence of actions, all designed to mislead investigators and obscure the crime scene. This points to complex premeditation and a high level of planning. This wasn’t a crime committed in the heat of passion,but a calculated,almost clinical approach to concealing a double homicide.
SE: The accused allegedly cut the power, cleaned the crime scene, and used the victim’s phone to send misleading messages. How common are these tactics in concealing homicides? Are these indicators of a particular criminal profile?
DS: While manipulating a crime scene—including disrupting power to hinder forensic analysis—and using a victim’s phone to create a false alibi are sadly not uncommon, the combination of these techniques, executed with such precision, is significant. This points towards a more organized offender. The use of the victim’s phone to send deceptive messages reflects a growing trend in digital age homicides. Perpetrators exploit familiarity with technology to hinder investigations and manipulate narratives. The combination suggests a highly organized, clever individual, possibly exhibiting traits of a narcissistic personality, capable of extreme callousness and manipulation. Such individuals often believe they are superior and capable of outsmarting law enforcement.
SE: The alleged killer’s actions seem to suggest an understanding of investigative procedures. Do you think he may have had prior experience with law enforcement or criminal examination?
DS: This is crucial. His actions indicate a level of criminal sophistication and an anticipation of typical investigative responses. He may have had past involvement with the justice system, directly or indirectly, or he might’ve acquired this knowledge through various indirect means such as media consumption or from easily accessible data online about forensic practices. Regardless of the source of the knowledge, his actions highlight the importance of continuous training for law enforcement.further, public awareness campaigns about crime prevention and investigative processes are vital to avoid similar successful cover-ups of homicides.
SE: The accused allegedly stole money after the murders. Does this suggest a motive beyond simple murder? Was the robbery opportunistic or planned?
DS: The theft considerably complicates the case.While the homicides are the initial focus, the subsequent theft strongly suggests that opportunistic financial gain was a secondary, but certainly meaningful, motivation. A planned robbery in addition to the homicides would indicate that the robbery was pre-meditated and part of the initial planning stages. Alternatively, it could have been an opportunistic act committed after the impulsive or pre-meditated homicides. To differentiate between these scenarios requires further investigation. The overlap between violence and financial motives isn’t uncommon; many homicides stem from financial pressures or theft opportunities. Thus, law enforcement must always remain vigilant.
SE: The alleged perpetrator wore a mask when Ronny returned to the house. What insights does this provide into the perpetrator’s mindset?
DS: The mask in an already darkened environment demonstrates further premeditation and a grasp of potential risks. It wasn’t just about avoiding identification, but a deliberate attempt to control perceptions and further manipulate Ronny. The mask underlines not just skillful planning, but a clear intent to maintain control even in an unexpected situation, such as Ronny’s return home. This adds another layer to the complexity of the perpetrator’s planning and actions.
SE: What lessons can law enforcement and the public learn from this case?
DS: This case underscores the ever-evolving tactics used by criminals. Law enforcement must stay ahead by constantly improving training—incorporating the latest technologies and criminal behavioral patterns.For the public, enhanced digital awareness and proactive crime prevention strategies are essential.This includes:
Understanding cybersecurity: Protecting personal information from online threats.
Improving home security: Investing in upgraded security systems and taking preventive measures to deter potential threats.
* being vigilant: Recognizing signs of potential danger and reporting suspicious activity.
SE: Dr. Sharma,thank you for your insightful analysis. This discussion offers crucial takeaways for understanding this intricate case and preventing similar crimes in the future. Readers, what are your thoughts on this case and the strategies employed by the alleged perpetrator? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation on social media!