Jakarta Hayam Wuruk online gambling network busted, 287 foreigners charged

Indonesian police’s Criminal Investigation Agency dismantled an international online gambling syndicate operating from the Hayam Wuruk Plaza in West Jakarta. The raid in early May seized hundreds of electronic devices and identified 321 foreign nationals and one Indonesian who had been detained. After forensic and financial analysis, authorities designated 287 of the foreign nationals as suspects and four Indonesians as co‑accused.

The accused include 185 Vietnamese, 76 Chinese, 15 Myanmar, six Thai, three Laotian and two Malaysian nationals. Their roles ranged from customer‑service operators and programmers to marketing, finance administrators and operational trainers. Police estimate the network processed roughly Rp 13.9 trillion (about US$850 million) in gambling deposits over two months.

Immigration officials found that most of the foreign suspects entered Indonesia on pre‑investment visas, with others on visit‑stay permits or visa‑on‑arrival, raising concerns over misuse of immigration permits. The case underscores a coordinated crackdown on offshore‑linked gambling platforms that exploit digital loopholes and illicit financing.