8 Portraits of Singer Lea Elfara, Viral Because Involved in Alleged Fraud Cases Up to 1 Billion Since 2017

The owner of Makanku said that this case began when he was looking for a Muslim woman to be the star of his latest product. "At that time, I was looking for a replacement for (Neno) Warisman, I was looking for a good and pious hijab artist. Finally, I asked for help to find that person, so there were several names like Laudya Cynthia Bella, Fatin, Soimah, but they were not available," said Puspo Wardoyo during a virtual press conference on Wednesday (24/3/2021).

It's not easy to find a Muslim female artist who can collaborate with Puspo Wardoyo. Almost all of the targeted Muslim women cannot collaborate. However, after a long search, Puspo Wardoyo finally met a singer named Lea Elfara. "I once met Bella in Banjarmasin, at that time she decided not to proceed after meeting because she wanted to get married. Including Okky Setiana Dewi, who already has a permanent endorsement as a brand ambassador. Finally, I found this sister, to be honest I don't really know her. She said she is a religious singer, we met her in Solo," said Puspo Wardoyo.

There is no cooperation agreement yet, but Lea Elfara instead presented a new project. She said she wanted to release a religious album that will be marketed in Ramadan 2017. Of course, this offer made Puspo Wardoyo confused, especially since he hasn't discussed the cooperation regarding the product. "After just meeting her, she said, 'Mr. Puspo, I want to release a Ramadan single and this is the perfect collaboration,' she asked for 1 billion IDR. I don't know who she is yet, I don't know her well," he said.

Puspo Wardoyo immediately transferred 1 billion rupiah assuming it was a collaboration regarding Lea Elfara's latest religious album, not a project. "I returned and the next morning she asked for a transfer, I made it clear that 'mbak this is a collaboration, not me giving assistance' after that I asked my team to handle the issue because I had already transferred it to her," said Puspo Wardoyo.

However, until now, the promised album plan by Lea Elfara has not been realized. Puspo Wardoyo felt deceived and finally asked Lea Elfara to return the money. Unfortunately, instead of receiving the money, Puspo Wardoyo was accused because the 1 billion rupiah was considered a dowry by Lea Elfara. "I am ashamed in front of my family if it is called my dowry and they say I want to get married again, their friends even called them saying Mr. Puspo wants to get married again," he said.

Feeling dissatisfied, Puspo Wardoyo finally reported Lea Elfara to the police. Currently, the alleged embezzlement and fraud case has reached the court. Lea Elfara has been found guilty by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) and sentenced to 2 years in prison.

For Puspo Wardoyo, it's not about the 1 billion rupiah money carried by Lea Elfara. The problem is that he wants to prove to the public that what Lea Elfara has said is not true. "Yes, I just want to prove that this 1 billion rupiah is not a dowry. And if someone says that I have oppressed a woman, it's not true," said Puspo Wardoyo.

"Yesterday, many people asked 'how could Mr. Puspo dare to report a woman for only 1 billion rupiah'. I want to clarify to the public because it has been three years since the issue started," concluded Puspo Wardoyo.