Semarang Immigration Arrests Four Chinese Nationals Involved in Love Scamming

The Semarang Immigration Office, in collaboration with the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Central Java, has successfully uncovered an online fraud operation involving ‘love scamming’ tactics. During the operation, officers detained four Chinese nationals in the Puri Anjasmoro area, West Semarang.

According to reports, the four foreign nationals, identified by the initials HJ (40), HK (44), HY (44), and TW (37), were arrested on suspicion of abusing their stay permits to conduct illegal international activities. In addition to the foreign nationals, officers also detained two Indonesian citizens, identified as DS (26) and E (26), who are suspected of being involved in the group’s operations. A large amount of electronic evidence was seized during the raid.

The Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, stated that the arrests were the result of continuous immigration intelligence work. He emphasised that this exposure is a concrete manifestation of the ‘selective policy’ implemented by Indonesia.

“Immigration will not provide any space for foreign nationals who abuse their stay permits or use Indonesian territory as a base for illegal activities. Supervision will continue to be strengthened to maintain national sovereignty,” Hendarsam asserted.

The operation followed two weeks of intensive intelligence activities by the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team (Inteldakim) of the Semarang Immigration Office. Officers identified suspicious activity within a residential property before conducting the raid.

The Head of the Semarang Immigration Office, Ari Widodo, explained that the perpetrators allegedly conducted their love scamming activities through digital communication platforms such as DingTalk and DingDing. They used false identities to approach victims and build trust for financial gain.

“Initial investigations indicate that the targets or victims are located outside of Indonesia. We are continuing to conduct in-depth examinations of the foreign nationals,” said Ari Widodo.

This case adds to the growing list of transnational cybercrime exposures where Indonesia has been used as an operational base. The immigration authorities have committed to expanding synergy with relevant agencies to suppress similar criminal networks in the future. The Semarang Class I Immigration Office also reaffirmed its commitment to rejecting all forms of Human Trafficking (TPPO).