Polri to Hand Over 321 Foreign Nationals from Online Gambling Syndicate in West Jakarta to Immigration

Director of General Criminal Acts (Dirtipidum) at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra, revealed that the perpetrators were caught red-handed while operating an online gambling site on Thursday (7/5). “We arrested the perpetrators red-handed, meaning they were carrying out operational activities or online gambling operations. From the perpetrators we successfully secured, the total number reaches 321 people,” said Wira to reporters at the location on Saturday (9/5/2026). He detailed that the majority of the perpetrators are from Vietnam, numbering 228 people, followed by 57 from China, 13 from Myanmar, 11 from Laos, 5 from Thailand, and 3 each from Malaysia and Cambodia. The perpetrators, according to Wira, conducted this illegal business in a structured manner by utilising cross-border electronic facilities. The perpetrators entered Indonesia not to work legally, but used tourist visit permits. “They all used tourist permits, none for work,” Wira stated. The handover of these foreign nationals aims to process immigration administrative sanctions. This firm step is part of the government’s commitment to eradicate international online gambling networks attempting to relocate their operational bases to Indonesian jurisdiction. “In carrying out this activity, we also conducted a joint operation with the Ministry of Immigration to investigate whether there are other criminal acts that we will later prove,” he said. Hunting Sponsors to Syndicate Bosses On the other hand, Wira assured that they will trace the sponsors who brought the perpetrators from abroad to Indonesia. He also assured that efforts will continue to dismantle the network that has not yet been uncovered. “We will trace the sponsors who brought them from abroad yesterday,” Wira emphasised firmly. Nevertheless, he stressed that his side remains committed to pursuing the online gambling boss in Hayam Wuruk. So far, they have not captured the leadership of that online gambling syndicate. “However, we remain committed to investigating up to the top levels; currently, there are only coordinators for each type of work or the roles of these perpetrators,” he said. Due to their actions, the perpetrators are charged under Article 426 and/or Article 607 in conjunction with Article 20; and/or Articles 21 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code and Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustment.