Indonesia Police Name Four Locals as Suspects in Online Gambling Ring

Indonesia Police Name Four Locals as Suspects in Online Gambling Ring

Indonesia Police Name Four Locals as Suspects in Online Gambling Ring – Jakarta, TEMPO.CO – The Indonesian National Police have named four local residents as key suspects in a large-scale online gambling operation centered at the Hayam Wuruk Tower Plaza in West Jakarta. This development comes after a major investigation revealed the involvement of 321 foreign nationals, including citizens from multiple international countries, in the scheme. The operation, which has drawn attention due to its significant financial reach, has now expanded to include both domestic and international actors in the cross-border gambling network.

The Investigation and Arrests

“The investigative team expanded the probe into the cross-border gambling network, resulting in the arrest of four Indonesian nationals,” stated Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra, head of the General Crimes Division at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), during a press briefing on June 26.

The four suspects, identified as MAP, BT, DFA, and DA, are alleged to have played distinct roles in the operation. MAP is accused of overseeing the financial management of the syndicate and maintaining direct communication with the group’s supposed coordinator, a Chinese national known as Lio Hongyu or Leo. The suspect was apprehended during a raid at the 20th and 21st floors of the Hayam Wuruk Tower Plaza on May 7. This arrest marked a critical turning point in the case, as it allowed authorities to trace the flow of funds and connect the suspects to the broader network.

Roles of the Suspects

According to preliminary reports, each suspect had a specific function within the gambling ring. BT is said to have arranged the rental of office space used by the group, while DFA prepared banking tools to facilitate financial transactions. DA allegedly managed the conversion of funds into cryptocurrency and coordinated the immigration processes for the foreign nationals involved. These roles highlight the organized structure of the operation, which blended local and international elements to operate seamlessly across borders.

Authorities believe that Lio Hongyu, the group’s supposed coordinator, fled Indonesia after the operation was uncovered and is currently based in China. This suggests the suspects may have been acting under the direction of an external figure, raising questions about the extent of their involvement and the potential for larger, international networks. The investigation has since focused on uncovering the full scope of the operation and identifying any remaining accomplices.

Financial Scale and Impact

Details from the investigation indicate that the gambling ring operated 145 websites, nearly double the 75 initially discovered during the raid. The scale of the operation became apparent as police estimates revealed the network collected approximately Rp13.9 trillion (around $850 million) in deposits over a two-month period. This figure, derived from digital forensic analysis of electronic devices seized during the operation, underscores the significant economic impact of the ring, which may have affected thousands of local gamblers.

The estimated profit of Rp1.69 trillion further emphasizes the profitability of the scheme. Such large sums suggest the operation was well-funded and efficiently managed, with the suspects playing pivotal roles in its financial infrastructure. The recovered cash, amounting to Rp8.5 billion in Indonesian rupiah and foreign currencies like US dollars, Thai baht, and Malaysian ringgit, valued at about Rp245 million, provides concrete evidence of the ring’s activities and its reach beyond domestic borders.

Broader Implications and Future Steps

The investigation has now broadened to target 15 companies that reportedly supported or guaranteed visa applications for the foreign nationals linked to the operation. Two of these entities, PT Klitz Tour and Travel and PT 1688 Prima, were visited by Tempo reporters on June 10 as part of the ongoing probe. During the visit, investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a separate search tied to an alleged extortion case involving immigration ministry officials, highlighting the interconnected nature of the crime network.

Employees of both companies confirmed they processed immigration documents for some of the foreign nationals but denied any direct connection to the online gambling activities. Despite these denials, the police have requested official statements from the companies, which are still pending as of publication. This development signals the growing complexity of the case, with law enforcement now linking financial fraud, immigration abuse, and cross-border organized crime.