[NEWS]Indonesia police arrest 321 foreigners over online gambling

[moneystery]

It's not surprising that their syndicate chose Jakarta as their location, because mainland Chinese people are so free to enter the city by bribing immigration and the authorities there. In fact, this is a bit strange in my opinion because usually their operations will not be disturbed because it is common knowledge that there are officials and authorities who back up their operations.
Most likely I think that this raid is just a formality, at most the people who are arrested will not be punished in any way because their big boss is also likely close to the people in power.

[Myleschetty]

I am curious, what were the names of the domains they identified?

Yes, Indonesia strictly prohibits online gambling, but it's both online and offline gambling are illegal in the country, with penalties up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines (up to Rp 10 billion).
About the names of the domains they identified?
No specific domain names have been publicly released by Indonesian authorities through their official statements or major news reports. The reason why no domain was listed by the authority may be due to incomplete investigations, or to prevent others from imitation.

[Ronsbit]

Indonesia, I have read about, is not friendly with gambling, and they have strict laws against gambling and gamblers, and whoever is caught would be made to face the wrath of the law. These numbers of gamblers caught must have been on this for quite a long time, but they were unfortunate, and I have no doubt that there must be a whistleblower who must have blown their cover for the government to catch them. Sorry for them that they would have to go in for their actions for a 9-year jail term.

[aioc]

I do not doubt that there must be a whistleblower who must have blown their cover for the government to catch them.

Most likely from a guy who lost a lot of money and thinks he's been cheated and wants to get revenge, or a very religious guy who doesn't want gambling, or an honest man and loyal to their government's campaign on illegal gambling

Sorry for them that they would have to go in for their actions for a 9-year jail term.

I don't feel sorry for them; in fact, I'm surprised that they have the nerve to operate in a country where gambling is illegal

[Davidvictorson]

Many of these people who are being arrested in my estimation are not the main culprits. Imagine that there are 75 domains. What it means is that this is highly sophisticated network that the 321 arrests doesn’t even scratch the surface and f the mani illegal gambling architecture. These main architecture  includes those who finances and run them.

[Hispo]

It catches my attention the fact most of them are from China.
I would have guessed China also enforced laws on their own citizens and forbade them from engaging in these kinds of activities, specially if they violate local laws of neighborhood countries. Anyways, those are also a lot of domains, these guys probably also  had casino and bookies operating in other countries besides Indonesia. Otherwise, I would not understand why they needed so many.

If these guys go arrested, there is a very high chance people who deposited in their casinos won't see their money ever again, in similar manner to what happen to people who sent Bitcoin to Chipmixer when it got disrupted by law enforcement and had its domain seized.

[salad daging]

If they were able to catch a high numbers like this at the same time, then I guess that someone sold them out to the government or they belowed it up themselves and were already on the investigation list of the government. They must have broken the law which was never good but I still feel sorry for them that they might serve 9 years in prison.

According to the article, they followed public tips which led them to the suspected organised gambling activities, so yeah, the public sold them out to the government. I guess they never thought that people would tell about them or that they would actually get caught.

It could be that the tribute paid by this group of sites pays little so that unscrupulous officials leak this to the government, because until now the bookies have never been arrested except for the workers who are in front of the computer operating the site.

Dennis Lim is a former bookie for more than 3 years who is on the border of Thailand and Cambodia has described everything in this news Podscast, so the conclusion is that this gambling will never disappear, if this is arrested there will be more.

There is also government involvement in controlling it, even in the past there was an uproar over the gambling consortium, after that it was quiet again.

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h5oyCtoVVU&t=1421s

[Kelvinid]

This is not surprising. Indonesia strictly prohibits all forms of gambling, online or offline casinos, local or foreigners. So if there are people who promote gambling or bookmakers, or punters, hence they are subject for punishments.

Also, consumption of alcohol, and any other illegal activities are strictly prohibited. In fact, no legal casinos, no poker rooms, no betting shops or bingo rooms that are currently operating in Indonesia.

[fullfitlarry]

This is not surprising. Indonesia strictly prohibits all forms of gambling, online or offline casinos, local or foreigners. So if there are people who promote gambling or bookmakers, or punters, hence they are subject for punishments.

Also, consumption of alcohol, and any other illegal activities are strictly prohibited. In fact, no legal casinos, no poker rooms, no betting shops or bingo rooms that are currently operating in Indonesia.

It's probably because of their religion, so it prohibits almost everything. But still though, this foreigners don't know or maybe they still think that they can get over with it and play online and just bribe if being caught.

So it's their mistake to think about Indonesia who is very strict in terms of gambling. Hopefully, those who are going to visit or thinking of playing their will think twice about it.

[Shinpako09]

I think what they do is similar in the PH before, they are offshore gaming operators. Since the PH cracked down on offshore gaming operators, this one might have moved from the PH to Indonesia. That was the wrong move for their illegal activities. They transferred to a country with even stricter rules than the Philippines. Their greediness knows no bounds. Since they are operating illegally, I don’t think their website is trustworthy either. Based on the news in the PH, these kinds of activities earn them so much money that they still take the risk even though there’s a high chance of getting caught. I don’t know why some people still choose to play with them when there are better and legal options available.

[Maslate]

It's not surprising that their syndicate chose Jakarta as their location, because mainland Chinese people are so free to enter the city by bribing immigration and the authorities there. In fact, this is a bit strange in my opinion because usually their operations will not be disturbed because it is common knowledge that there are officials and authorities who back up their operations.
Most likely I think that this raid is just a formality, at most the people who are arrested will not be punished in any way because their big boss is also likely close to the people in power.

That only proves that Indonesia is not an exception from those countries who share common practice by using connections to authorities and well-placed elites to gain power, influence and wealth, no wonder why transparency has become a big issue. And because of this, the government should do something to regain the trust of the people, and having this news turns a big achievement of the authorities that will cover somehow the abnormalities happening in the government.

Whether this could be for formality or not, punishable or not, only the Indonesian authorities can answer that.

[stadus]

This law is very strict, especially because it is done online.

For me, the ones who should be prosecuted are those who offer or operate illegal gambling, not really the gamblers themselves. I remember reading news before about a country where they only punished the people running the illegal casino, while the gamblers were treated more like victims.

But in this news, it looks like no one is exempted. Everyone involved in gambling can face the law, whether they are the operator or just the player.

That is why this kind of law is scary for ordinary gamblers. Some may not even know if the site they are using is fully legal or not, but once they get caught, they might still be included in the punishment.

[MAAManda]

I am curious, what were the names of the domains they identified?

Certainly it's not a big brand, answering as an Indonesian, the gambling industry is indeed growing in our country despite the fact that gambling itself is actually illegal. There are many names & many owners, but the scale of their business isn't as big as the brands we advertise on this forum, they're usually just short-term domains with many mirrors.

[Ronsbit]

Of those gamblers are arrested, they got that upon themselves because they know Indonesia is a very strict country and they take their law's very seriously not to talk of foreign nationals who want to mess with their law's. A a foreign nationals, before going to a country, it is good to know what is obtainable in that country so you do not go against their law's and get yourself in trouble and by this news, it seems those guys are aware of the gambling law's of the land and decided to pass through the backdoor to gamble which is very risky. I also believe that they were reported by someone who got wind of the information. This is why it is good to always obey the law of the strange land where you are so that you do not get yourself in trouble.

[Pandu Geddon]

Of those gamblers are arrested, they got that upon themselves because they know Indonesia is a very strict country and they take their law's very seriously not to talk of foreign nationals who want to mess with their law's. A a foreign nationals, before going to a country, it is good to know what is obtainable in that country so you do not go against their law's and get yourself in trouble and by this news, it seems those guys are aware of the gambling law's of the land and decided to pass through the backdoor to gamble which is very risky. I also believe that they were reported by someone who got wind of the information. This is why it is good to always obey the law of the strange land where you are so that you do not get yourself in trouble.

Not complying with regulations in a country may also be due to their ignorance. If they come for vacation or for business, they surely have time to return to their country. Unfortunately, the application they use might already be under law enforcement surveillance. They are platform users, and the casino server may be online outside of Indonesia. Even if guilty, those caught may only receive a light punishment, or fines and deportation.

[danherbias07]

These are the sites that we must be careful about.

In Asia, there are a lot of scammy gambling sites. That's is why I am not letting go of the online casino/sports bookie that I am using. It's not about the offers they make for newbies. It's about the reputation they make in the industry.
When we talk about reputation, one cannot claim it. It's the audience that must tell if one is having a good service or is trying so hard just to make profits, even if it's of below quality.

[DrBeer]

According to the article, Indonesia arrested 321 foreign nationals who were linked to an international online casino network in Jakarta. The article also mentioned that they identified around 75 domains and websites suspected of facilitating online gambling, and they also said that the platforms used specific characters and labelling strategies to evade being blocked. It is also said that the suspects could face charges under Articles 426 and 607 in conjunction with Articles 20 and 21 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, as well as Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments.". I searched for a bit on what punishment they could face and found out that they could face up to nine years in prison(1).

I am curious, what were the names of the domains they identified?

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s police arrested 321 foreign nationals linked to an international online gambling network in Jakarta, following a lengthy investigation into organized, cross-border digital operations, authorities said on Saturday.

Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra, director of General Crimes at the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), said the arrests followed public tips that led investigators to suspected organized gambling activities involving multiple nationalities.

He said the suspects were detained on Thursday, May 7, and investigations are ongoing.

According to Triputra, the group was caught while operating online gambling platforms.

Those arrested included 57 Chinese, 228 Vietnamese, 11 Laotian, 13 Myanmar nationals, three each from Malaysia and Cambodia, and five Thai nationals.

Triputra said each suspect played a role in the operation, which they used as a source of income.

“This was conducted in a structured manner, using electronic systems and organized cross-border digital operations,” he said.

Police seized evidence including safes, passports, mobile phones, laptops, computers and cash in various foreign currencies.

Investigators also identified around 75 internet domains and websites suspected of facilitating online gambling.

He said the platforms used specific character combinations and labeling strategies to evade blocking.

The suspects could face charges under Articles 426 and 607 in conjunction with Articles 20 and 21 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, as well as Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments.

What surprises you? Any “forbidden fruit”, especially one that generates a very large income, will always be offered. Risk and offer !
Criminal groups, earning huge sums of money, are willing to take risks, hoping that they will be able to avoid detection and punishment or in the hope of corruption. In this case - both assumptions were wrong....

[EluguHcman]

Mehnn... If these gathered datas of information could be true, then the investigators must had really put extreme effort to get those behind with their organization to book.
Those where just too much in numbers.

So I am just wondering the scene the security agencies get to gather this number of them in one link of the cross-border online invasion even when all of the teams activities are done online.
Or they have physical office to gain trust without undermining the risk that the government regulatory policies prohibits such act.
Perhaps the scam network sounds just too international connected with their professional schemes.

[Floxynice]

All I can say is, as a gambler planning to relocate or travel to a different country, find out their gambling laws and see if going there will be convenient for you. What may seem common in your home country may not be same in other countries. Imagine being treated as a criminal in another man's land all because of gambling. This is not an offence my country will charge you for. Never knew that Indonesia was this strict on gambling.

[Ronsbit]

Of those gamblers are arrested, they got that upon themselves because they know Indonesia is a very strict country and they take their law's very seriously not to talk of foreign nationals who want to mess with their law's. A a foreign nationals, before going to a country, it is good to know what is obtainable in that country so you do not go against their law's and get yourself in trouble and by this news, it seems those guys are aware of the gambling law's of the land and decided to pass through the backdoor to gamble which is very risky. I also believe that they were reported by someone who got wind of the information. This is why it is good to always obey the law of the strange land where you are so that you do not get yourself in trouble.

Not complying with regulations in a country may also be due to their ignorance. If they come for vacation or for business, they surely have time to return to their country. Unfortunately, the application they use might already be under law enforcement surveillance. They are platform users, and the casino server may be online outside of Indonesia. Even if guilty, those caught may only receive a light punishment, or fines and deportation.

In the Constitution, ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law, so anyone who fails to comply with the law will go in for it. Although some countries consider, to some extent, the gravity of the offence with a lesser punishment as enshrined in the constitution. Foreigners are always put into consideration because they are not citizens, as not every part of the constitution of a foreign country they would know, so the law would grant them a lesser punishment based on the offense committed.