Indonesia man, 74, marries bride, 24, with S$235,000 dowry, did not flee wedding on motorbike as locals rumoured

A 74-year-old man has gone viral across Indonesian social media after marrying a 24-year-old woman with a reported dowry of Rp3 billion (S$235,000) for the bride and her family.

The event, which was livestreamed on YouTube, sparked a commotion when there were rumours that the groom had fled from the wedding on a motorbike and that the cheque was fake, reported CNN Indonesia.

Runaway groom and bounced cheque rumour

The groom, identified as Tarman, married Shela Arika in a ceremony held on Oct. 8 in a village located in East Java.

Videos of the event, including the signing of a cheque for the dowry, quickly circulated online.

The marriage quickly drew widespread attention for the couple’s 50-year age gap, the size of the dowry, and doubts about its authenticity.

Shortly after the footage went viral, a TikTok user claiming to be a neighbour of the bride’s family alleged that Tarman had fled on a motorcycle belonging to the family, leaving behind only a counterfeit cheque, Detik reported.

However, police authorities and the head of the village have firmly rejected the rumours.

“After confirming the situation, the facts show that the couple are currently on their honeymoon in Wonogiri,” said the police chief on Oct. 10.

“This was verified through a live video call between the bride’s family and the couple in the presence of local authorities.”

Marriage totally legal

The village chief also told Detik that he only knew the marriage was conducted legally and in accordance with religious and state laws and had no idea it would blow up online.

The bride’s mother echoed the police statement, as reported by Kompas.

“They haven’t run away, they’re enjoying their honeymoon. The important thing is that they are legally married. Don’t be fooled by rumours.”

She added: “As for whether (the cheque) has been cashed or not, I don't know. They know.”

Groom’s fraudulent samurai sword business

The groom’s past has also drawn scrutiny after reports surfaced that he had previously served time in prison for fraud.

Records from the Indonesian district court show that a man named Tarman bin Kariyo Sutirto was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in 2022 for a fraud case related to his samurai sword business, reported Kompas.

A police inspector confirmed the records on Oct. 10.

"We don't know the details of Tarman's case, but the data is available at the Wonogiri District Court," he said.

In the district court’s decision which was dated on June 22 2022, the panel of judges declared Tarman as legally and convincingly proven to have committed fraud.

Several bank accounts under Tarman's name were even seized as evidence.

Police chief tells everyone to stay calm

Despite renewed attention to the groom’s past, police emphasised that no new offences have been reported.

“We are open to any residents who wish to report other suspected criminal acts that may have been committed by Tarman,” said the police chief, according to Detik.

He attributed the public outcry to fears for the bride’s safety and urged the village residents to stay calm and carry on as usual.

The couple, who reportedly knew each other for only a month before marrying, according to IDN Times, have not issued a public statement.

Top images via Av.Mediaku/YouTube