Qaplo (Jakarta) – Indonesia’s ongoing fight against online gambling took a major step forward after authorities arrested 321 foreign nationals and one Indonesian citizen suspected of operating an illegal online gambling syndicate in West Jakarta. The large-scale operation was carried out by the Indonesian National Police at a building on Hayam Wuruk Street, Jakarta. The raid reflects the government’s firm commitment to eradicating online gambling, a crime that continues to cause serious social and economic harm across the country. Indonesia Refuses to Become a Safe Haven for Online Gambling According to Wira Satya Triputra, Director of General Crimes at the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), Indonesia will not tolerate any form of gambling-related crime. “Indonesia must not become a breeding ground for crimes such as gambling, especially online gambling. We are fully committed to eradicating both conventional and online gambling because these activities greatly harm the public and can cause significant losses to the nation,” he stated. The raid was conducted on Thursday, May 7, 2026, as part of broader efforts to prevent Indonesia from becoming a hub for international cyber-gambling operations. Roles Within the Gambling Syndicate Investigators revealed that the suspects performed various functions within the operation, including: Telemarketing Customer service Debt collection and payment enforcement “These individuals had different responsibilities, ranging from telemarketing to customer support and collections,” Brig. Gen. Wira Satya explained. Indonesian Citizen Also Detained In addition to the 321 foreign nationals, one Indonesian citizen was arrested for serving as a customer service operator for the gambling network. Authorities said he had previously worked at a similar online gambling headquarters in Cambodia before returning to Indonesia. The Indonesian suspect is currently being held at Bareskrim headquarters for further investigation. 320 Foreign Nationals Handed Over to Immigration Following the arrests, 320 foreign nationals were transferred to Directorate General of Immigration for further administrative and legal processing, including possible deportation and immigration sanctions. Government Intensifies War on Online Gambling The crackdown underscores the Indonesian government’s determination to dismantle online gambling networks, many of which are believed to involve transnational criminal organizations. Authorities have repeatedly warned that online gambling contributes to financial losses, family hardship, addiction, and broader economic damage. The latest arrests send a strong signal that law enforcement agencies will continue pursuing both local and international actors involved in these illegal activities.
