Fact Check: Video shows online gambling raid, not anti-government buzzer operation
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Explainer
Documents & data
Outcome reported
- A video circulating online falsely claims to show a raid on an anti-government "buzzer" operation in Indonesia.
- Fact-checking by Tempo reveals the video actually depicts a raid on an online gambling operation involving foreign nationals.
- The original footage, released by police, shows the arrest of 321 individuals, primarily from Vietnam and China, involved in illegal online gambling targeting other countries.
A video circulating on Facebook and TikTok, claiming to show a raid on an online "buzzer" headquarters used to attack government programs like the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) initiative, has been debunked as misleading. The posts alleged that individuals were managing numerous social media accounts to spread disinformation.
One person manages 100 social media accounts to stir up trouble. Most of them are foreign nationals.
However, a fact-check by Tempo, utilizing Google reverse image searches and credible media reports, confirmed that the video does not depict a raid on a political influence operation. Instead, it shows law enforcement apprehending individuals involved in illegal online gambling.
The video shows the arrest of 321 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in an online gambling operation.
The footage was originally published by tvOne on May 10, 2026, and sourced from the National Police. It documents the arrest of 321 foreign nationals, including 228 from Vietnam, 57 from China, and others from various ASEAN countries. These individuals allegedly operated an online gambling site from a large room in the Hayam Wuruk Plaza Tower in West Jakarta.
The foreign nationals allegedly operated an online gambling site for two months. They were staying at lodgings near the operation site.
Authorities stated that the gambling operation targeted overseas players and had been active for two months. Despite this, Indonesian law enforcement indicated that the perpetrators would face legal proceedings within Indonesia. The misleading narrative surrounding the video has been officially concluded as false by Tempo's fact-checking team.
Naturally, we do not want the perpetrators to return to their home countries without facing punishment.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
