International Online Gambling Syndicate Busted in Kuta, 21 Foreign Nationals Detained
Indonesian immigration authorities raided a luxury residential complex in Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, arresting 21 foreign nationals from Vietnam, Myanmar, and China accused of running an international online gambling operation. Officials say the suspects abused their stay permits, and all have been transferred to a detention facility in Bali for further investigation.
According to Malutpost, Indonesian law enforcement conducted a large-scale raid on Thursday, October 29, targeting two luxury housing units at Harvestland Residence in Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, suspected of serving as the operational base for an international online gambling syndicate.
Authorities detained 21 foreign nationals in total: 8 Vietnamese, 12 Myanmar, and 1 Chinese citizen. The operation began at 7:00 a.m. local time after several days of surveillance and reconnaissance, with a joint team coordinating closely with residential security, local community leaders, and property agents.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko stated that the crackdown reflects the government's commitment to tightening oversight of foreign nationals in Indonesia. "We will not tolerate any abuse of stay permits, especially when such activities lead to serious crimes like online gambling that harm the public," he said.
Seized evidence included 65 mobile phones (36 personal, 29 work-related), 18 laptops, 6 desktop computers, and 3 iPads. Initial investigations revealed that some suspects held pre-investment Visit Stay Permits (ITK), while others held Limited Stay Permits (ITAS) under remote-worker status â neither of which authorizes gambling-related activity.
The suspects reportedly operated an online gambling site called macaujc.com, using international digital payment platforms such as Alipay and WeChat Pay to facilitate transactions. All detainees and seized items have been transferred to the Bali Detention House for further investigation to uncover a potentially wider network.
Things to Consider
Always confirm what activities your visa or stay permit legally allows, and never engage in unauthorized activitiesâincluding illegal online gambling operationsâunder visit, pre-investment, or remote-worker permits. Even renters can face legal consequences if a property is used for illegal activity, so avoid properties showing signs of unusual foot traffic or bulk business equipment. If uncertain about your visa status, consult a licensed immigration agent or your embassy promptly rather than risk detention.
Source: Malutpost