Immigration Authority Investigates Alleged Immigration Crimes by 320 Foreign Nationals in International Online Gambling Syndicate
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Directorate General of Immigration is investigating allegations of immigration crimes committed by 320 foreign nationals (WNA) suspected of being part of an international online gambling syndicate.
This step is being taken through a joint investigation with the Indonesian National Police regarding the case uncovered in the Hayam Wuruk area, West Jakarta.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko stated that Immigration also has the authority to pursue legal action if foreigners or their sponsors show indications of involvement in criminal acts.
“As regulated in the Immigration Law, our investigators (PPNS) also have the authority to process allegations of immigration crimes committed by either foreigners or their sponsors,” Hendarsam said in a written statement on Wednesday (13/5/2026).
During the examination, he said, the male foreign nationals are being held at the Jakarta Immigration Detention Centre (Rudenim), while the female foreign nationals are being held at the Directorate General of Immigration.
He stated that the investigation results show that the majority of the foreign nationals used Visit Stay Permits (ITK), Visa on Arrival (VoA), and Visa-Free Visit (BVK).
Additionally, 15 guarantor parties (sponsors) have been identified who are responsible for the presence of these foreign nationals in Indonesia.
“In processing allegations of criminal acts, the Directorate General of Immigration does not only target individual foreigners but also conducts in-depth examinations of sponsors or guarantors,” he said.
In recent times, at least five cases of syndicates involving foreign nationals have been uncovered in various regions in Indonesia.
He said that the majority of the detained foreign nationals come from Vietnam and Cambodia, which are countries that receive visa-free facilities.
Hendarsam also stated that Immigration data shows that during the period from 1 January to 5 May 2026, the Directorate General of Immigration has carried out 6,779 immigration administrative actions (TAK).
From that number, cancellations of stay permits and deportations each amount to 2,026 actions, detentions amount to 1,404 actions, and 1,323 others are on the blacklist.