7 Facts on Police Arrest of 321 Foreign Nationals in International Online Gambling Syndicate, Fund Flows Under Investigation
Polri has uncovered a case involving an international online gambling (judol) syndicate based in an office building on Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta. A total of 321 foreign nationals (WNA) have been secured in connection with the case.
As compiled by detikcom on Sunday (10/5/2026), the perpetrators were caught red-handed while operating judol websites on Thursday (7/5). Brimob personnel were also deployed to secure the syndicate’s headquarters in West Jakarta during the raid.
Here are 7 facts related to the arrest of 321 foreign nationals in the judol syndicate in West Jakarta:
- 321 Foreign Nationals Arrested
A joint team from Bareskrim Polri and Polda Metro Jaya successfully uncovered the judol case involving foreign nationals in an office building in the Hayam Wuruk area. A total of 321 foreign nationals were secured.
“From the perpetrators we successfully secured, the number reaches 321 people,” said Dirtipidum Bareskrim Polri Brigjen Wira Satya Triputra during a press conference at the scene in the Hayam Wuruk area, West Jakarta, on Saturday (9/5).
The breakdown is as follows: 57 Chinese or China nationals, 228 Vietnamese nationals, 11 Laotian nationals, 13 Myanmar nationals, 3 Malaysian nationals, 5 Thai nationals, and 3 Cambodian nationals. The perpetrators were caught in the act while conducting online gambling.
“Regarding the people we secured, we suspect them under Article 426 and/or Article 607 in conjunction with Article 20 and/or Article 21 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code and Law No. 1 of 2026 on Penal Adjustment,” he stated.
- Police Seize Several Pieces of Evidence
In addition to arresting hundreds of foreign nationals, the police also secured several pieces of evidence in the case. The evidence includes safes to currencies from various countries.
“From the enforcement action we carried out, we have secured various types of evidence, namely safes, passports, mobile phones, laptops, PC computers, and cash in various currencies. From the investigators’ examination, they have found approximately 75 domains and websites suspected of being used as online gambling facilities,” said Wira.
- Polri Uncovers 75 Judol Sites
From the case disclosure, Polri found dozens of judol sites managed by the foreign nationals. The perpetrators also camouflaged the addresses of the judol sites.
“From the examination results, the investigators have found 75 domains and websites suspected of being used as online gambling facilities,” said Brigjen Wira.
“Using specific character combinations and gambling label variables to avoid blocking,” he added.
- Polri Investigates Fund Flows to Servers
Polri has uncovered an international online gambling network involving hundreds of foreign nationals in West Jakarta. The police are tracing the fund flows and servers used in the judol business.
“We will conduct tracing of the fund flows and search for servers or IP addresses from the communication network. In addition, we will also trace the sponsors who brought them from abroad yesterday,” said Wira.
In this operation, Polri secured 321 foreign nationals. The perpetrators are currently undergoing intensive examinations.
“Currently, the investigative team from the Directorate of General Criminal Acts Bareskrim Polri has conducted intensive examinations of the perpetrators or those we have secured. We have also seized the evidence,” he said.
- Building Owner to Be Examined
The police will examine the owner of the building used by hundreds of foreign nationals as the headquarters of the international judol syndicate in West Jakarta. Polri is committed to thoroughly investigating the case.
“We are committed to uncovering all of this as widely as possible. That means we will still examine the building owner, including who rented it, up to those who provided equipment for the gambling activities at the location,” said Brigjen Wira.
Based on investigation results, the perpetrators rented floors 20 and 21 of the building. Although the contract is said to be for one year, operational activities have only been running for about two months.
“This building was rented for one year temporarily. But we will confirm this again because the renter’s identity will also be checked with management later,” explained Wira.
Wira explained that the two floors were used specifically for online gambling operations. The foreign nationals working as operators do not live at the location but are scattered in residences around the building.
“They mostly live in the areas around this tower. So the upper floors are purely used for operations of online gambling activities,” he revealed.
The police also found that the electronic devices used by the perpetrators were purchased in Indonesia. However, the main servers are located abroad to avoid detection by authorities.
“These tools were also bought here (Indonesia). Regarding the servers, to date we are still tracing based on the existing websites; the servers are located abroad,” explained Wira.
- 321 Foreign Nationals in Jakbar Judol Syndicate Have Overstayed
Wira stated that the perpetrators conducted this illegal business in a structured manner using cross-border electronic means. According to him, the perpetrators entered Indonesia not to work legally but used tourist visit permits.
“They all used tourist permits, none for work,” he said.
Wira said that based on initial examination results, this syndicate has been operating for approximately two months. The perpetrators rented the building floors as a centre for organised cross-border digital operations.
“The perpetrators mostly live in the areas around this tower. So the upper floors are purely used for operations of online gambling activities,” said Wira.
Although the operations are in Jakarta, police stated that the data control centre or servers for the judol sites are located abroad.
On the same occasion, Secretary of NCB Interpol Indonesia Divhubinter Polri, Brigjen Untung Widyatmoko, highlighted the residence permit violations of the perpetrators. He stated that these foreign nationals entered Indonesia using tourist visas valid for only 30 days.
“For visa-free or tourist visas, immigration only allows 30 days. That means if they have been in for 2 months…”