International Love Scamming Syndicate Uncovered in Semarang; Two Chinese Nationals Arrested
The Semarang Immigration Office, in collaboration with the Central Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, has uncovered suspected online ‘love scamming’ activities conducted by foreign nationals in Semarang. During an immigration surveillance operation conducted on Thursday (4/6) in the Puri Anjasmoro area, West Semarang, officers detained four Chinese nationals suspected of abusing their stay permits in Indonesia.
The Head of the Semarang Immigration Office, Ari Widodo, stated that based on field observations and investigations, officers identified suspicious activities involving several foreign nationals at a residence in the Puri Eksekutif housing complex, West Semarang. Following these findings, the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Team, alongside the Regional Supervision and Enforcement Team, conducted an integrated surveillance operation.
During the operation, officers detained four Chinese nationals identified by the initials HJ (40), HK (44), HY (44), and TW (37). Additionally, two Indonesian nationals, DS (26) and E (26), were taken into custody for questioning to determine their roles and involvement in the activities discovered at the location.
From the initial search and examination, officers seized a large amount of electronic evidence suspected of supporting online fraud. The seized items include 604 mobile phones of various brands, 11 laptops, 10 all-in-one (AIO) computers, one printer, one hard disk, one projector, one portable wireless device, and hundreds of SIM cards. Furthermore, three passports from the People’s Republic of China and several other documents were recovered and are currently undergoing further analysis.
According to preliminary findings, the foreign nationals allegedly conducted love scamming activities by utilising various digital communication platforms, including the DingTalk and DingDing applications. The modus operandi involves building emotional relationships with potential victims using fake identities and profiles, then exploiting the established trust to obtain financial gain. Initial investigations suggest that the victims and targets are located outside of Indonesia.
Ari emphasised that the successful exposure of this case demonstrates the Immigration Department’s commitment to maintaining regional security and preventing the abuse of stay permits by foreign nationals. He stated that all suspected immigration violations will be processed in accordance with applicable laws. The detained foreign nationals are currently undergoing intensive interrogation.
Based on preliminary examinations, the foreign nationals are suspected of violating Article 122, letter a, of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration regarding the abuse of stay permits. Additionally, for one foreign national who could not produce valid travel documents, officers are investigating potential violations of Article 119 of the same law.
The Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, stated that this exposure is a practical implementation of the ‘selective policy’ which serves as the basis for immigration supervision in Indonesia. He asserted that Immigration will not provide any space for foreign nationals who abuse their stay permits or use Indonesian territory as a base for illegal activities, and that immigration surveillance will continue to be strengthened to maintain national security, order, and sovereignty.