Fraud Ring Involving 13 Japanese Nationals in Bogor: Impersonating Police Officers and Issuing Fake Arrest Warrants

BOGOR, KOMPAS.com — Thirteen foreign nationals from Japan who carried out online fraud against fellow Japanese have impersonated police officers to carry out their actions. ‘The 13 foreign nationals have been identified as Japanese nationals who are suspected of engaging in cyber activities, including online scamming in the form of extortion using attributes of the Japanese police, conducted in an organised manner,’ said Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman at the Bogor Immigration Office, on Wednesday (4 March 2026). Yuldi explained that the online fraud had been taking place since February 2026. Dozen of foreign nationals operated from three houses in the Babakan Madang District, Bogor Regency. ‘The modus operandi of the group was to impersonate staff from a telecommunications provider named NTT Docomo,’ Yuldi said. During the arrest, Immigration authorities found scripts used by the perpetrators to intimidate, stating the victim was an illegal subscriber, fake contracts, or forged identities. The perpetrators directed victims to make video calls via the LINE app. Then, the perpetrators used a simulated police radio voice to make the victims believe. ‘Then the perpetrators used a simulated police radio voice to reinforce and ensure that it appeared the person was from the Japanese police,’ he said. The perpetrators then directed victims to access a fake website portal and displayed a fake arrest warrant. The warrant contained the victim’s name, the charges, and the stamp of a Japanese court. ‘Victims were directed to access the fake portal and view the arrest warrant or Taihoji marked with an emergency arrest, complete with the victim’s name, the charges, the judge’s name and a red stamp resembling the Japanese court,’ Yuldi explained. Subsequently, the victims were asked to show their savings books and bank details. ‘And finally, the perpetrators directed victims to sell shares and investments, liquidate funds, and make large transfers,’ he said. The 13 foreign nationals were arrested at three different houses. Eight were arrested on Jalan Parahyangan Golf Blok G76 and G78, five more at Jalan Bukit Golf Hijau Raya No. 4. At the arrests, Bogor Immigration secured evidence including dozens of devices, more than a dozen routers, the foreign nationals’ passports, residence permits, four Japanese police uniforms, and digital documents including scripts and operational manuals for the fraud. Meanwhile, Bogor Immigration Office Head Ritus Ramadhana said the Immigration authorities were still in contact with the Japanese Consulate to deport the 13 perpetrators. Also read: 13 WNA China at the ‘Celebrity Portrait’ Event Deported for Visa Violation