SP-Indonesia.com, Indonesia – Joint officers from the Batam Class I Special Immigration Office, along with personnel from Sub-Directorate 3 Jatanras of the General Crimes Directorate of the Riau Islands Regional Police, began unearthing evidence in the form of dozens of computers seized during a raid at the Baloi View Apatel Apartments on Wednesday morning (May 6, 2026). The location is suspected of being used as a headquarters for online gambling and large scale fraud.
As of Thursday (May 7, 2026), intensive questioning was still underway on hundreds of foreign nationals arrested in the joint operation.
A total of 210 foreign nationals from three countries are currently undergoing passport and phone checks by Immigration and police officers. In detail, 84 foreign nationals from China, consisting of 78 men and 6 women, were arrested 125 foreign nationals from Vietnam, consisting of 85 men and 40 women, and 1 woman from Myanmar.
This brings the total number of foreign nationals arrested to 163 men and 47 women.
“We are currently examining the passports and mobile phones of the 210 foreign nationals,” said Police Commissioner Indar Wahyu Dwi Septiawan to SP-Indonesia.com on Thursday morning.
He explained that the computer seized from the Baloi View Apatel Apartments will be opened and thoroughly examined to trace digital activity suspected of being linked to an online gambling and fraud network that dares to cross borders.
“The computer seized from the Baloi View Apatel Apartments will be opened for data analysis to determine the nature of the crime,” he said.
According to developing information, two individuals, identified as AL and WL, are said to be residents of Tanjungpinang and Batam, respectively, and are suspected of having experience running similar operations in Cambodia.
The apartment units in the area are said to operate as closed offices. Residents’ activities involve minimal interaction with surrounding residents. Bedroom curtains are almost always tightly drawn, while residents’ movements are silent and nearly undetected.
Residents also reported that the lights in several units are on almost 24 hours. Couriers and logistics companies come and go daily. However, behind this seemingly ordinary activity, authorities suspect a large-scale digital operation has been operating covertly within the residential area.
Currently, authorities are still investigating the contents of electronic devices and digital activity found at the raid site to uncover the possibility of an international network behind this alleged gambling and scamming headquarters.
(Indonesian Reporter: Jim)
