According to the South China Morning Post, the groom, identified as Tarman, tied the knot with Shela Arika earlier this month in a lavish ceremony in East Java province. Videos circulating online show guests cheering as the groom presented a check worth 3 billion rupiah during the celebration.

The wedding videography team told reporters that they had initially been informed the bride price would total 1 billion rupiah, but the amount was unexpectedly “upgraded” during the event. Guests were also reportedly given 100,000 rupiah in cash instead of traditional wedding favors.

Shortly after the ceremony, however, the photography company accused the newlyweds of leaving without paying for their services, claiming the couple had cut off contact.

Adding to the controversy, a TikTok user claiming to be a neighbor of the bride’s family alleged that Tarman had fled on a motorcycle belonging to the family, leaving behind only a counterfeit check, Mothership reported.

However, local authorities and the village head have firmly denied the rumors. Tarman later appeared on social media to reject the allegations, insisting that the bride price was genuine and issued by Indonesia’s Bank Central Asia.

“I did not leave my wife, we are still together,” he said.

The bride’s family also refuted the claims, stating that the couple “just went on their honeymoon.”

The story has since sparked heated discussion online, with many questioning whether the marriage was motivated by love or money. One commenter wrote: “Did she fall in love with the elderly man’s scent, or his fortune?”

Another added: “In the end, money is power in this world.”