Indonesian Sharia Fintech Firm Paid Celebrities Rp 750 Million for Brand Ambassadorship

The Depok District Prosecutor's Office has revealed that a popular celebrity couple received Rp 750 million (approximately USD 46,000) as brand ambassadors for the Sharia fintech firm PT Dana Syariah Indonesia (DSI). The revelation came during the trial of three defendants charged in a fraud case involving the company. According to prosecutors, the defendants allegedly disguised payments for digital marketing, promotion, and brand ambassadorships through an affiliated company as loans. The payments, totaling Rp 750,030,000, were reportedly made to the accounts of actor Dude Harlino and his wife, Alyssa Soebandono, under PT Multiguna Cipta Mandiri. "The individuals concerned were witnesses in the case concerning their role as brand ambassadors for PT DSI," stated Barkah Dwi Hatmoko, Head of Intel at the Depok District Prosecutor's Office, on Thursday (23/7/2026). The three defendants in this case are Taufiq Aljufri (TA), the CEO of Dana Syariah Indonesia; Mery Yuniarni (MY), former Director of PT Dana Syariah Indonesia; and Arie Rizal Lesmana (ARL), a Commissioner. The indictment was read during a trial at the Depok District Court on Wednesday (22/7). The indictment stated that expenses for digital marketing, promotion, and brand ambassadorships were incurred through affiliated companies for the needs of PT Dana Syariah Indonesia. Prosecutors claimed that payments to brand ambassadors were made to appear as loans into the account of PT Multiguna Cipta Mandiri under the names of witnesses Dude Herlino and Anindya Alyssa Soebandono, with each reportedly receiving funds totaling Rp 750,030,000. The case originated when the National Police's Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri) received a report from the public regarding PT Dana Syariah Indonesia's alleged failure to repay investors. During the investigation, police uncovered a modus operandi involving fictitious projects using data from existing borrowers. This data was then allegedly used by PT Dana Syariah Indonesia to present new projects to the public, thereby encouraging investment. The defendants are charged under Article 488 and/or Article 486 and/or Article 492 in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code (KUHP) in conjunction with Article 126 paragraph (1) of the KUHP, or Article 45A paragraph (1) Jo. Article 28 paragraph (1) of the Law on Electronic Information and Transactions (UU ITE) in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the KUHP in conjunction with Article 126 paragraph (1) of the KUHP, and/or Article 299 of Law Number 4 of 2023 concerning the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector, as well as Article 607 paragraph (1) letters a, b, and c of the KUHP in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the KUHP in conjunction with Article 126 paragraph (1) of the KUHP. Source: Detik