210 Foreign Nationals in Investment Fraud Syndicate Arrested, Immigration Investigates Involvement of Indonesians

The first matter concerns the involvement of Indonesian citizens; so far, we have not detected any involvement of Indonesians, but this does not close the opportunity for us to continue delving deeper,” said the Head of the Riau Islands Immigration Directorate General Regional Office, Guntur Sahat Hamonangan, during a press conference in Batam on Friday (8/5/2026). His side will also pursue other perpetrators who are proven to be involved. Immigration will also collaborate with the police. “Then, regarding the arrival of these foreigners using visitor visas, visa on arrival, and investor visas, from our monitoring, it is indicated that these 210 people did not come all at once, but gradually, one or two at a time, using visa-free facilities,” he added. Vietnamese citizens, according to him, have a visa-free agreement with Indonesia, making it common for them to enter Indonesian territory. “However, the results of our coordination, as well as our observations and information from the central team of the Directorate General of Immigration, allowed us to track their whereabouts, leading to the security operation against these 210 foreign nationals,” he stated. Chronology of the Arrest The suspicious activity was first known in April from an apartment. Then, Immigration followed up on the information. For four weeks, Immigration conducted covert surveillance and carried out monitoring and gathering of statements. “And then, based on the results of field monitoring, there was an indication that the foreign nationals were carrying out illegal activities,” explained the Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement, Yuldi Yusman. Then, on 6 May 2026 at 06:00 WIB, a joint team assisted by the police conducted a raid. A total of 60 personnel were deployed. “Then, they moved simultaneously to two locations, namely Baloi View Apartment and a house in an elite housing complex,” he said.