Residents Suspected Gambling Den in Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta; Office Workers in Shorts
JAKARTA - Several residents claimed to have been suspicious of activities in an office building in the Hayam Wuruk area, West Jakarta, which was later discovered to be the headquarters of an international online gambling (judol) syndicate.
A local resident, Ananda (not her real name), said she often saw foreign nationals entering and exiting the building over the past few months.
Suspicion arose because the foreigners frequently spoke in foreign languages while shopping at a nearby minimarket.
Ananda said she was shocked when police began guarding the area around the office building since Saturday (9/5/2026).
At that time, she only learned that the building was allegedly used as an operational site for online gambling.
“But I only just found out they were running a gambling den here. And I can’t speak English,” she said.
Similar suspicions were expressed by a security guard from another building nearby, Sulaiman (not his real name).
He said the people entering and exiting the building looked suspicious because they were dominated by Asians from foreign countries.
He also claimed to have heard suspicions from delivery couriers who often came to the building.
In addition to their striking appearance, the workers at the site were said to often wear casual clothing, such as shorts, while working.
“Like delivery people, we know them, we just chat. They said there were foreigners in shorts, whereas usually office workers wear long trousers,” he explained.
Until Monday afternoon, several Brimob members from Polda Metro Jaya were still guarding the area around the building. However, unlike during the raid, the officers on guard this time were not carrying long-barrelled weapons.
Previously reported, Bareskrim Polri uncovered an international online gambling network in an office building in the Hayam Wuruk area and secured 321 people suspected of being involved in the operation on Saturday (9/5/2026).
Police stated that the online gambling activities had been operating for about two months before the raid. During that time, the detained foreigners were known to live in several areas around Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta.