Indonesia Arrests 5 Foreign Nationals Over Suspected Online Gambling Operation

Indonesia’s Immigration Office has arrested 5 foreign nationals from China and Vietnam over their suspected involvement in an international online gambling syndicate.

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The arrests were made after immigration officers inspected the group’s place of stay in Kelapa Dua, Tangerang District, Banten, on September 7. While undertaking the raid, the authorities uncovered an unusually high number of electronic gadgets that were working automatically, according to Barron Ichsan, head of the Banten Immigration Office.

1 computer, 1 laptop, and 26 mobile phones were seized at the place. It was believed that the devices were related to online gambling.

The inspection followed an earlier immigration review involving 2 Chinese nationals, identified by the initials WH and ZL, and 3 Vietnamese nationals, identified as LVT, DVD, and DIH.

Permit Applications Raise Suspicion

The operation began on August 29, when the 5 foreigners submitted applications to extend their temporary stay permits.

Immigration officers reviewed the documents provided as part of the applications. They found inconsistencies in the proof of the round-trip tickets, which were required by the applicants.

The authorities believed that the tickets did not belong to the applicants and that their names were altered. This led to the summoning of the five foreign nationals by the immigration officials on September 7.

After the suspects attended the summons, officers continued their investigation by inspecting their accommodation in Kelapa Dua. It was during this inspection that authorities found the electronic devices believed to have been used in the suspected online gambling operation.

The number of devices, along with the fact that they were operating automatically, led officers to suspect that the location was being used to support online gambling activity.

Suspected Roles in the Operation

The initial investigation found that the 2 Chinese nationals allegedly helped operate a system used to record transactions.

The 3 Vietnamese nationals were reportedly assigned to collect money generated from gambling activities targeting the Vietnamese market.

Ichsan said the 5 suspects were believed to have earned hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong each day through the alleged online gambling activity. He added that they had been in Indonesia for 1 month.

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The authorities did not disclose any more information about the gambling website, the extent of its operations, and how many individuals were involved in the matter.

Nevertheless, the results from the Tangerang area investigation caused immigration officials to keep on their guard for other foreigners who were associated with the case.

Search Expands to Other Foreigners

Following the operation, the immigration office intensified surveillance of 7 other foreigners who had fled.

Of those 7 individuals, 2 have been placed on the authorities’ subject-of-interest list. Immigration officials are continuing their efforts to identify their whereabouts and determine whether they were connected to the alleged operation.

The Banten Immigration Office is also coordinating with the respective embassies in Jakarta regarding the case.

Officials have said that deportation and an entry ban remain possible if the suspects are not prosecuted in Indonesia. The final action will depend on the development of the investigation and whether criminal proceedings are pursued.

Ichsan stated that Indonesia allows foreign nationals to enter the country only when they provide benefits and do not pose a threat to public safety and order. He added that immigration authorities would continue monitoring and take firm action against activities that may disrupt public safety.

Potential Immigration Charges

The 5 suspects are expected to face charges under Articles 122 and/or 123 of Indonesia’s Immigration Law.

These include abuse of a stay permit and the dissemination of immigration data that is not factual. The crimes attract penalties of imprisonment for up to five years and fines up to Rp200 million.

The investigations are still ongoing since the immigration officers have to inspect the seized equipment, watch the movements of other individuals involved in the case, and communicate with the embassies of foreign countries.

At the moment, the arrests have made it possible for the suspected online gambling business to be investigated more carefully. It will all depend on what happens in the course of the investigation and how foreign citizens will be dealt with.

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Source: Antara News