Indonesia arrests five people over suspected online gambling network

The suspected operation allegedly handled gambling transactions and collected proceeds from customers in Vietnam.

Indonesia.- Five foreign nationals have been arrested after immigration officers found electronic devices allegedly linked to an online gambling operation at their accommodation in Tangerang. The five suspects, comprising two Chinese nationals and three Vietnamese nationals, had applied to extend their visitor stay permits. However, immigration officials found alleged irregularities in return flight tickets submitted, which are suspected to belong to other people.

The applicants were summoned to the Tangerang Immigration Office on September 7. Further checks, including an examination of their travel histories and responses during questioning, prompted officials to inspect their residence in Kelapa Dua. There officers found a large number of electronic devices operating automatically. The authorities seized one computer, one laptop and 26 mobile phones.

Banten Immigration Office head Barron Ichsan said the equipment was believed to be connected to online gambling activity. Investigators believe the two Chinese nationals helped manage transaction records, while the three Vietnamese nationals were tasked with collecting proceeds from bets placed by customers in Vietnam.

Ichsan said the suspects had been in Indonesia for about one month and were believed to have generated hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong each day. They could face charges under Articles 122 and/or 123 of Indonesia’s Immigration Law for allegedly abusing their stay permits and providing false immigration information. The offences carry penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to Rp200m (US$11,290).