Hundreds of Foreign Nationals Operated Online Gambling and Scam Ring in Hayam Wuruk Tower
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Hundreds of foreign nationals were apprehended for operating an international online gambling and scam syndicate from the Hayam Wuruk Plaza Tower in West Jakarta.
- Police conducted a raid on the premises, which housed numerous workers in front of rows of computer monitors.
- The operation is suspected to be linked to a large-scale online gambling network allegedly controlled by Chinese nationals.
In a significant crackdown on transnational crime, Indonesian authorities have dismantled a large-scale international online gambling and scam operation based in Jakarta. Hundreds of foreign nationals were apprehended during a raid on the Hayam Wuruk Plaza Tower in West Jakarta, revealing a sophisticated network engaged in illicit online activities. The operation, which involved numerous individuals working in a large room filled with computer monitors, highlights the growing challenge of cross-border cybercrime.
The raid, which commenced on Friday night and continued into Saturday afternoon, saw the deployment of heavily armed Brimob (Mobile Brigade Corps) personnel to secure the building. The Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) Polri, Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra, was also present at the scene, indicating the seriousness of the operation. Initial information suggests that the syndicate was allegedly controlled by foreign nationals, primarily from China, underscoring the international dimension of this criminal enterprise.
This bust is a testament to the Indonesian police's commitment to combating online fraud and illegal gambling, which have become increasingly prevalent. The sheer number of foreign nationals involved points to a well-organized syndicate that has established a significant foothold in the region. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover the full extent of the network's operations and bring all perpetrators to justice. The incident also raises questions about the ease with which such international criminal organizations can operate within urban centers, exploiting technological infrastructure for illicit gains.
Personnel of the Polda Metro Jaya Brimob Unit were deployed to the location to provide security support.
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.