92 Chinese Nationals Deported for Online Gambling and Investment Fraud Syndicate

The mass deportation was carried out at the official request of the authorities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through the Ministry of Public Security.

A total of 92 foreign nationals from China, involved in an online gambling syndicate and investment fraud in Batam, have been placed on a lifetime entry ban list by the Directorate General of Immigration. Consequently, these dozens of foreign nationals were deported on Sunday (5/7) via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten, aboard a China Southern Airlines flight CZ2988 bound for Guangzhou, China.

Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, Galih P. Kartika Perdhana, stated that the office implemented a contingency standard operating procedure (SOP) to maintain a conducive situation. “We applied a special and separate immigration inspection mechanism, from biometric identity verification to escorting them to the aircraft door. We designed this pattern so that the repatriation process for the 92 detainees ran smoothly without disrupting regular passenger services,” he explained.

The Directorate General of Immigration emphasised that it will not give any room for transnational crime perpetrators to operate in Indonesia. Through deportation and lifetime entry bans, it is hoped that this will create a deterrent effect and discourage other foreign criminals from intending to operate in Indonesia. Immigration authorities are also committed to enforcing the law indiscriminately and professionally, while still upholding humanitarian aspects. “This is our commitment in line with the spirit of Immigration for the People,” he said.