Indonesia arrests 15 in illegal gambling crackdown

Separate police operations targeted a Cambodia-linked online gambling platform and illegal lottery networks.

Indonesia.- Police forces in North Sumatra and Central Java have arrested 15 suspects following separate operations against alleged illegal gambling networks. The raids targeted a what was described as a Cambodia-linked online gambling operation operating out of Medan as well as widespread illegal lottery rings across several regencies in Central Java. In connection with the Central Java cases, law enforcement officers also froze bank accounts holding a total of IDR2.46bn (US$135,000).

The North Sumatra Police’s Cyber Crimes Investigation Directorate, known as Ressiber, intercepted an online gambling syndicate. Detectives arrested five cashiers who handled betting deposits and withdrawal requests. According to Directorate head Senior Commissioner Bayu Wicaksono, all five cashiers had previously worked in Cambodia before being instructed by their manager to return to Medan and establish a new online gambling platform called Depo Bos.

The group launched operations on Oct. 8 and recruited 30 active players before police raided the premises. Each cashier received a monthly salary of IDR10m (US$550) in addition to performance bonuses for meeting player targets. Officers confiscated five mobile phones, three laptops, and three ATM cards used to process transactions linked to Cambodia-based administrators.

In a separate development, Central Java Police Chief Inspector-General Roy Hardi Siahaan coordinated a series of raids on illegal lottery operations across Semarang city and the Demak and Grobogan regencies. These illegal lotteries typically operate by taking bets based on foreign draw results, including those from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney.

During an evening raid, police arrested five people acting as coupon sellers, collectors, and croupiers.

Police confirmed that financial investigations remain ongoing to trace all transaction channels and identify additional parties involved behind the scenes.