Indonesia arrests 210 foreigners over alleged online investment fraud operation in Batam

Indonesian immigration authorities have arrested 210 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in an online investment fraud operation during a raid on apartments in Batam’s Lubuk Baja district, officials said, after an investigation uncovered what authorities described as an organised scam network targeting victims overseas.

The Directorate General of Immigration said the operation was carried out on 6 May after intelligence reports received in mid-April indicated suspicious activities involving foreign nationals at the premises.

Authorities said the group allegedly operated online investment scams aimed primarily at victims in Europe and Vietnam through social media promotions and fictitious investment platforms.

Large-scale immigration operation

According to the Directorate General of Immigration, those detained comprised 125 Vietnamese nationals, 84 Chinese nationals and one Myanmar national. Of the total, 163 were men and 47 were women.

Immigration officials said the majority of the detainees were using residence permits that did not allow employment or business activities in Indonesia.

The group included 57 individuals using visa-free entry permits, 103 using Visa on Arrival permits, 49 holding D12/B12 visit visas and one holding a limited stay investor permit.

“Most of the residence permits used by the foreign nationals secured in the operation could not legally be used for work or business operations,” Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said in a statement released on 8 May.

Weeks of surveillance

Hendarsam said immigration authorities began investigating after receiving intelligence reports in mid-April regarding a group of foreign nationals allegedly conducting suspicious activities at the apartment complex.

“A joint team then conducted covert surveillance, profiling and information gathering for several weeks,” he said, adding that authorities later identified indications that the location was being used as “an organised activity centre inconsistent with the purpose of their stay permits”.

On 6 May at around 06.00 local time, a joint team of 58 personnel moved into two targeted apartment locations. By approximately 08.00 local time, authorities had detained all 210 foreign nationals.

Officials said they discovered designated operational areas within the apartments, including workspaces, living quarters and control rooms, indicating an organised operational structure.

Immigration officers also seized 10 passports believed to be linked to alleged controllers operating from another location.

Electronic devices seized

Authorities said the raid resulted in the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices and documents, including 131 computers, 93 laptops, 492 mobile phones, 52 monitors, network equipment, money-counting machines and 198 passports.

Preliminary examinations of the electronic devices indicated the suspects had allegedly conducted online investment fraud, commonly referred to as “scam trading”, targeting foreign nationals.

According to the authorities, the operation allegedly used social media promotions to attract victims before intensifying communication and directing them to invest funds into fictitious investment platforms promising high returns.

Deportation and possible criminal proceedings

The Directorate General of Immigration said the detainees were suspected of violating Article 75(1) of Indonesia’s Immigration Law, which authorises immigration officials to impose administrative sanctions on foreign nationals considered disruptive to public order or in violation of regulations.

The foreign nationals are currently being held in detention facilities pending deportation and blacklisting procedures.

However, authorities said criminal proceedings could follow if further investigations uncover elements of criminal offences.

Hendarsam added that the immigration authority would continue tightening supervision of foreign nationals operating in Indonesia.

“We will not tolerate illegal activities by foreign nationals that harm the public,” Hendarsam said.