Immigration uncovers fake investor ITAS scheme

Tangerang Immigration officials have identified 10 foreign nationals as suspects in a case involving the fraudulent use of investor Temporary Stay Permit (ITAS) documents. The group includes eight Pakistani citizens and two Iraqi citizens, who were apprehended during an immigration surveillance operation at an apartment in Tangerang City, Banten, on November 1, 2025.

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During a brief on-site interview, these foreign nationals could not provide fundamental explanations regarding the guarantor company's profile or the realization of investment activities claimed in their names while in Indonesia.

Hasanin, the Head of Tangerang Immigration Office, stated that the investigation began after officers became suspicious of the guarantors and investment credibility of these foreign nationals. "During a brief on-site interview, these foreign nationals could not provide fundamental explanations regarding the guarantor company's profile or the realization of investment activities claimed in their names while in Indonesia," Hasanin said in a written statement on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Immigration officers suspect the individuals falsified data and provided false information to obtain investor visas and permits, engaging in no real business activities. The investigation intensified after officers reviewed ITAS Investor application data. Collaborating with the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), they verified company establishment documents and conducted field checks.

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In practice, they do not have real business activities.

During the verification process, authorities discovered that the ten foreign nationals had not yet arrived in Indonesia when company deeds, general meetings of shareholders, and share transfers were issued, according to immigration crossing data. Furthermore, their signatures on company documents differed from their official signatures in the examination reports. Checks on the guarantor companies' bank accounts revealed invalid status, and the companies' registered addresses were found to be fictitious, with locations including pawn shops, restaurants, empty plazas, and virtual offices with expired leases.

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Only pawn shops, Padang restaurants, empty plazas, and virtual offices whose leases had expired were found.

One Indonesian sponsor's guarantee document used a fake national identification number (NIK) registered under someone else's name. The suspects also never deposited investment capital, conducted business activities, or submitted the required Investment Activity Reports (LKPM) to the government. Authorities seized passports, mobile phones, ITAS application documents, and electronic immigration crossing data as evidence.

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The suspects never deposited investment capital, did not carry out business activities, and never submitted the Investment Activity Report (LKPM) to the government.