TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Directorate General of Immigration has detained 210 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in a large-scale online investment fraud syndicate. Officials apprehended the group during a targeted supervision operation at an apartment complex in Lubuk Baja District, Batam, Riau Islands, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
The detained individuals include 125 Vietnamese nationals, 84 Chinese nationals, and one Myanmar citizen. Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko stated that authorities moved to secure the suspects after uncovering strong evidence that they were engaged in activities inconsistent with their residence permits and potentially disruptive to public order.
"The security measures were taken after finding strong indications that these foreign nationals were conducting activities not in accordance with their residence permits and potentially endangering public order," Hendarsam said in a written statement on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Of the total detainees, 163 are male, and 47 are female. Immigration examinations revealed a variety of residence permits among the group: 57 used Visa-Free Visits (BVK), 103 used Visas on Arrival (VoA), 49 held Index D12/B12 Visit Visas, and one possessed a Limited Stay Permit for Investors.
"The majority of the residence permits held by those detained cannot be used for work or business operations," Hendarsam noted.
Hendarsam explained that the operation was triggered by intelligence gathered in mid-April 2026, which flagged suspicious activities involving a group of foreign nationals at the site. Following the report, an Immigration team conducted several weeks of covert surveillance, profiling, and information gathering.
Monitoring results indicated that the apartment served as a hub for organized activities that strayed from the stated purpose of the suspects' visas. On May 6, 2026, at approximately 6:00 a.m. local time, a joint team of 58 personnel advanced toward two target locations.
By 8:00 a.m., officials successfully apprehended all 210 suspects at the apartment. Field identification revealed a structured operational layout within the building, including designated work areas, living quarters, and control rooms.
In addition to the arrests, the Immigration team confiscated 10 passports believed to belong to the ringleaders managing operations at other sites. All suspects were subsequently transported to the Batam Immigration Office for further interrogation.
During the raid, officials seized various pieces of evidence, including 131 computers, 93 laptops, 492 mobile phones, 52 monitors, network devices, money-counting machines, and 198 passports. Analysis of the electronic devices pointed toward an online investment scam targeting victims abroad, specifically in Europe and Vietnam.
According to Hendarsam, the syndicate’s modus operandi involved promoting fraudulent investment schemes via social media and establishing rapport with victims before directing them to fictitious platforms promising high returns.
The suspects are believed to have violated Article 75, paragraph (1) of the Immigration Law. Under this statute, Immigration officials are authorized to impose Administrative Immigration Measures (TAK) on foreign nationals who engage in dangerous activities, disturb public order, or breach statutory regulations.
The individuals are held in detention facilities awaiting deportation and blacklisting from the country. However, Hendarsam emphasized that Immigration remains in close coordination with the Riau Islands Regional Police should further investigation uncover broader criminal elements.
Read: Batam Immigration Chief Suspended Amid Extortion Probe
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