Five Facts About the New QR Code Scam Modus Operandi Through Judol at a Warung Kopi
Jakarta — Police have disclosed a case of a new scam modus operandi by placing matrix-code stickers (QR/quick response code) for online gambling (judol). The stickers were pasted in motorcycle parking areas and at a warung kopi in South Jakarta.
The disclosure was made by Pesanggrahan Police Sector Chief, Kompol Seala Syah Alam, at a press conference at the Pesanggrahan Police Station on Thursday, 5 March 2026. He said that the barcode scanned directs people to an online gambling site suspected of being a scam.
“The barcode that, after being scanned, ends up directly entering one of the online gambling sites suspected of being a scam,” he said.
He also revealed several facts related to the case. One concerns the site's server being abroad.
- Server Abroad
During the investigation, the site's server was found to be overseas. Therefore, investigators are continuing to develop the case.
“Well, after we delved deeper, it turns out that the site is connected to a VPN that is not located in Indonesia, but overseas,” he said.
- Mobile Data Could Be Stolen
Seala noted that if scanned, the QR code has the potential to steal the owner's mobile data and even deposit money into the online gambling site. He warned residents not to scan barcodes carelessly.
“Yes, because this is a scam, privacy or personal data can be transferred directly. Because this is a scam, the deposit might be automatically made into the online gambling site,” he said.
“Deposits from personal data. So we advise the public to be careful when scanning barcodes because this is one of the new methods used by criminals,” he added.
- Suspects' Actions Go Viral
The perpetrators' act of pasting matrix-code stickers (QR/quick response code) for online gambling (judol) went viral on social media. Police identified the two men in the video.
In the video circulating on social media, a man wearing an orange T-shirt and a pink cap is seen pasting stickers on a parked motorcycle and a wall. After each sticker is pasted, the suspect is seen photographing the object with his phone.
Meanwhile, another man sits waiting on a motorcycle without a number plate (TNKB). After placing the stickers, the two men leave the scene.
- Provincial Government Moves
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung highlighted the issue. He asked the Satpol PP to screen the findings.
Pramono said the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will act if it is proven that QR stickers directing users to online gambling sites exist.
“So, I will ask the relevant OPD, Satpol PP, to screen that. If it is correct, action will be taken immediately,” Pramono told reporters in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on Friday (6 March).
He stressed that the regional government fully supports the central government's efforts to eradicate online gambling. Therefore, all forms of promotion or dissemination of access to gambling sites must be acted against.
“Jakarta is among those supporting the central government's war against judol,” he said.
- Support for Judol Eradication
According to Pramono, online gambling has ensnared many people and negatively affected their lives. Therefore, enforcement steps must be taken seriously.
“Because judol is what has, in turn, caused many residents anywhere, including in Jakarta, to fall into bad circumstances as a result,” he explained.
Pramono confirmed that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will support various measures by the central government to sever access to online gambling.
“If there are programmes from the government to cut off judol this, the Jakarta Government fully supports it,” he added.