Majority of Foreign Nationals in Online Gambling Ring Used Pre-Investment Visas

Indonesian immigration authorities have identified 321 foreign nationals implicated in online gambling syndicates operating from the Hayam Wuruk Tower in West Jakarta. A significant portion of these individuals were found to be using pre-investment visas, a category usually reserved for foreigners exploring business opportunities before committing capital to Indonesia.

Director of Supervision and Enforcement at the Directorate General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, stated that some foreigners also utilized visa-on-arrival, which is not intended for employment, leading to a "misuse of problematic stay permits." He detailed that among the 321 foreigners, two used visa-free entry, 36 had visit stay permits (ITK B1) or visa-on-arrival, 10 used business visit visas (ITK C2), 120 held pre-investment visas (ITK C12), and 149 used multiple-entry pre-investment visas (ITK D12). Additionally, three were on bridging visas awaiting limited stay permits (ITAS), and two held investor ITAS.

The Directorate General of Immigration is also investigating 15 guarantor companies, which will be summoned for questioning. Two of these agencies, PT Klitz Tour and Travel and PT 1688 Prima, were reportedly assisting with the immigration documents for some of the foreigners involved. When Tempo visited PT Klitz's office, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was conducting a search.

Police have designated 287 of the 321 foreigners as suspects. These suspects include 76 Chinese nationals, three from Laos, two from Malaysia, 15 from Myanmar, six from Thailand, and 185 from Vietnam. They allegedly served in roles such as customer service, programmers, marketing and financial administrators, and training participants for operating gambling sites. The syndicate is believed to have managed 145 online gambling websites, significantly more than the initially estimated 75.

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So there was a misuse of stay permits that is problematic.