TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police will trace the Saracen network, an online syndicate accused of creating and spreading hoaxes and hate speech for money, to Pekanbaru, Riau. Earlier on August 30, police arrested Saracen member Muhammad Abdullah Harsono in the city.
“If we find new evidence, clues, and information, we will connect the dots, including [the network] in Pekanbaru,” National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said yesterday, September 13.
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According to Rikwanto, the head of the Saracen group is a Pekanbaru resident, as the headquarter was located in the city. A man named Jasriadi allegedly served a role as a recruiter. He created provocative contents to attract netizens to join Saracen accounts.
“He was respected since he is good at IT. He can revamp dead accounts and even hack other accounts for his interests,” Rikwanto explained.
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On August 23, the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Corps (Bareskrim) arrested Jasriadi and two other members, Sri Rahayu Nigsih and Muhammad Faisal Tanong, in Pekanbaru. The three suspects allegedly received orders to spread hate speech for money.
Police also arrested a housewife named Asma Dewi. Police found that Asma wired Rp75 million to NS, a Saracen core member.
RIYAN NOFITRA