Cross-Border Gambling Network Exposed by Indonesian Authorities

The operation was discovered by the Directorate of General Crimes at the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), which arrested 22 suspects in coordinated raids across Bogor, Bekasi, Tangerang, and Denpasar on June 13.

"The 22 suspects arrested include operators, server managers, and financial administrators," said Brigadier General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, director of general crimes at Bareskrim, during a press briefing on Friday.

The suspects used Indonesian SIM card numbers to create WhatsApp accounts, through which they promoted gambling websites branded as Tanjung899 and Akasia899. These websites were operated in collaboration with gambling agents in China and Cambodia.

"Each day, the operators could create up to 500 WhatsApp accounts to send thousands of promotional messages offering easy deposits and guaranteed winnings," Puro explained.

The suspects reportedly coordinated via WhatsApp and Telegram groups, sharing phone numbers and managing revenues. Authorities say gambling proceeds were laundered through bank accounts registered under other people's names and converted into cryptocurrency, which was disguised as payment for goods.

"In just one year, the group generated profits in the hundreds of billions of rupiah," said Puro.

During the raids, police seized 354 mobile phones, 23 personal computers, a car, a modem, 2,648 SIM cards from various providers, and 18 ATM cards.

The suspects face multiple charges under Indonesia’s Criminal Code, including a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment or fines of up to Rp25 million (approx. US$1,536).

They are also being charged under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, which carries a sentence of up to 6 years and a fine of Rp1 billion (over US$61,000), as well as under the Law on Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering Crimes (Law No. 8/2010), which carries prison terms of 5 to 15 years and fines of up to Rp1 billion.