Bogor Immigration Deports 13 Japanese Nationals Linked to Online Scamming

RRI.CO.ID, Bogor - The Class I Non-TPI Bogor Immigration Office in West Java, has officially deported 13 Japanese nationals suspected of operating an international online scamming syndicate. The move is part of a broader national effort to ensure that Indonesia is not utilized as a sanctuary or operational base for transnational organized crime.

Head of the Bogor Immigration Office, Ritus Ramadhana, said on Thursday, April 16, 2026, that the deportation followed intense surveillance of suspicious activities in the Sentul area of Babakan Madang, Bogor Regency.

"Officers conducted an inspection on the night of March 2, 2026, after monitoring indications of suspicious field activities," Ritus explained, as quoted by Antara.

During the raid on three houses within the Sentul City complex, authorities uncovered a sophisticated setup specifically designed to defraud victims back in Japan. The evidence seized by the officers included various law enforcement disguises, such as attributes resembling Japanese police identification, which were allegedly used to gain the trust of their targets.

Additionally, the team confiscated a wide array of technical equipment, comprising a full suite of communication devices like mobile phones and computers used to facilitate the operation. To further conceal their illicit activities, the group utilized network manipulation tools, including signal boosters and scramblers, to mask their physical location and interfere with digital tracking.

Investigation revealed that the group utilized advanced communication technology to target Japanese citizens from within Indonesian borders. Furthermore, three individuals in the group failed to present valid travel documents during the raid, compounding their immigration violations.

Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, emphasized that the deportation and subsequent entry bans are a firm statement of national sovereignty and security.

“We do not tolerate the abuse of stay permits, especially for criminal acts. Indonesia must not be used as a base for transnational crimes,” he asserted.

The operation was conducted in close coordination with the Police Attaché of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta. Following the standard protocol for such cases, the Japanese government covered the repatriation costs for the 13 individuals.

Before their departure, the group was held at the Jakarta Immigration Detention Center and has now been officially added to the blacklist (denial list) to prevent them from re-entering Indonesian territory.

The swift deportation of this syndicate highlights the proactive shift in Indonesian immigration policy, moving from passive monitoring to aggressive field intelligence. By targeting the group's infrastructure, such as signal scramblers and fake police IDs, Bogor Immigration is addressing the technical loopholes that transnational criminals often exploit.

The collaboration with the Japanese Embassy further demonstrates a high level of international legal cooperation. This synergy ensures that criminals are not only removed from the country but are also handed over to their home authorities, effectively closing the loop on the justice process. Indonesia’s message is clear: the country is a partner in global security, not a playground for digital fugitives. ***