Director General of Immigration asserts Indonesia is not a safe haven for scammers
Batam (ANTARA) - Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko has asserted that Indonesia is not a safe haven for perpetrators of online fraud, following the uncovering of a case involving 210 foreign nationals suspected of online fraud in Batam, Riau Islands.
“We do not tolerate any form of crime. Our country must not become a place for scammers,” Hendarsam said at a press conference on the case disclosure in Batam on Friday.
According to him, the uncovering of the case involving more than 200 foreign nationals suspected of investment scams serves as material for the government to evaluate and improve oversight or screening of foreign traffic.
In addition, Hendarsam stressed the importance of strengthening intelligence functions and strict screening at all Indonesian entry points, whether by air, sea, or land.
“We must strengthen early detection, field intelligence, and the capabilities of human resources at the border lines to conduct strict screening,” he said.
Nevertheless, he emphasised that oversight of foreign nationals must still consider a balance between national security and sovereignty with openness to international mobility.
In handling transnational crimes such as scamming, Immigration also emphasises the importance of cross-agency coordination, particularly with the police.
He explained that if criminal elements are found during the examination process, the handling can proceed through legal processes or pro justicia in Indonesia, as well as cooperation with the perpetrators’ countries of origin.
Meanwhile, the Head of the National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol Indonesia, Brigadier General of Police Untung Widyatmoko, added that the phenomenon of cross-border scamming is now experiencing a shift in operational areas.
According to him, after activities were largely dismantled in countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the perpetrators have begun to spread to other countries, including Indonesia.
“We do not want Indonesia to become a safe haven for these scammers,” he said.
“Currently, they (the scammers) have identified gaps in several countries that can be entered, and they will enter them, including Indonesia,” Untung stated.
His side is committed to enhancing coordination with the police in foreign data collaboration.
Untung added that Indonesia will also strengthen coordination with Interpol networks in other countries, including Vietnam, in handling the case.
“We will continue to work hard to combat transnational crimes and online scams to prove that Indonesia is not a safe place for criminals,” he said.