The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a Red Notice for the arrest of Mohammad Riza Chalid, a prominent Indonesian oil tycoon known as the "gasoline godfather," in connection with a massive $17 billion graft scandal at state owned oil giant Pertamina.
The 66-year-old businessman is wanted for his alleged involvement in corruption activities spanning from 2018 to 2023, including money laundering and the manipulation of lease agreements.
Authorities accuse Chalid and associates, including his son Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza and several high ranking Pertamina officials, of importing crude oil from overseas suppliers at inflated prices, violating Indonesian regulations that mandate domestic sourcing.
This scheme reportedly resulted in losses exceeding 285 trillion Indonesian rupiah, equivalent to approximately $17 billion.
The Red Notice, issued on January 23, 2026, has been circulated to Interpol's 196 member countries to facilitate Chalid's location and provisional arrest pending extradition.aa1f5d Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of Interpol’s Indonesia National Central Bureau, stated, “We can’t specify exactly where he is, but we already know.”
Chalid was named a suspect in July 2025, and his Indonesian passport was revoked by immigration authorities in October 2025. The case involves a total of 18 suspects, as identified by Indonesia's Attorney General’s Office.
This action underscores Interpol's commitment to combating transnational corruption and supporting member countries in holding accountable those who exploit public resources for personal gain.
Indonesia has faced several high profile corruption cases in recent years, including the 2023 conviction of a former communications minister sentenced to 15 years for a scandal costing over $530 million.