How the US Fugitive Hiding in a Depok Bunker Was Uncovered

The Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services, Hendarsam Marantandum, has explained how the status of a US fugitive, identified by the initials AW (also known as BW, AYW, or JW), was uncovered. The investigation began in early December 2024, when a woman identified as NM approached the Directorate General of Immigration in Indonesia accompanied by her two children.

NM reported that her husband, AW, had severely restricted her freedom of movement, which resulted in her stay permit expiring approximately five years ago without renewal. Furthermore, NM alleged that she had been a victim of sexual abuse by her husband. Following these disclosures, Indonesian Immigration facilitated the repatriation of NM and her children to the United States on 7 December 2024.

Hendarsam stated that Indonesia’s ‘selective policy’ in immigration is consistently enforced. Following the report, Immigration authorities coordinated with the US Embassy to verify the suspect’s profile. Investigations revealed that the individual had frequently changed his identity over a 15-year period since entering Indonesia. AW originally entered the country on 7 November 2011, fleeing legal proceedings related to sexual abuse cases in the US. Although he became a US citizen via naturalisation in May 2000, his US passport had expired in 2010.

On 5 March 2026, the Directorate General of Immigration received a formal request for assistance in apprehending AW from the US Embassy. Subsequent investigations and community intelligence led enforcement teams to AW’s residence in Sawangan, Depok, where he was discovered hiding in a home bunker.

Hendarsam emphasised that all foreign nationals in Indonesia must comply with administrative requirements and must not threaten public security and order. He noted that AW had committed serious immigration violations, including the use of false identities and the misuse of travel documents, in violation of Law Number 6 of 2011. AW was detained in a detention and deportation centre on 4 June 2026, with Indonesian Immigration working alongside US Marshals to facilitate his deportation. The success of the operation is being hailed as evidence of effective immigration law enforcement through international synergy.