RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The West Jakarta Class I Non-TPI Special Immigration Office has arrested four Chinese nationals in a residential area in West Jakarta for their alleged involvement in an online scam network operating under the guise of a payment application.

The suspects, identified by their initials LY (34), QZ (42), ZZ (32), and WJ (24), were apprehended on Monday, May 18, 2026, following a targeted investigation into suspicious foreign national activities in the region.

Head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office, Ronald Arman Abdullah, stated during a press conference on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that the group used a payment application platform to trap victims.

"Based on the results of surveillance and investigations carried out by officers, we have successfully arrested four Chinese nationals suspected of carrying out online fraudulent activities under the guise of a payment application at a residence in the West Jakarta area," Ronald explained, as quoted by Antara.

During the initial interrogation, authorities discovered that three of the suspects were utilizing Limited Stay Permits (ITAS) under false job descriptions, while the youngest suspect entered the country on a temporary tourist visa. Specifically, 34-year-old LY held an ITAS that listed their employment as a General Manager, while 32-year-old ZZ used a permit designating them as a Technical Manager.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old QZ held an ITAS listing employment as a Marketing Manager, and the youngest of the group, 24-year-old WJ, had entered Indonesian territory using a Visa on Arrival (VoA) through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Immigration officers seized a vast cache of digital equipment and travel documentation from the residence. During the raid, the team confiscated 41 mobile phones, 13 laptops, and 5 computer monitors used to run the online operation. Additionally, authorities recovered four valid Chinese passports belonging directly to the suspects, alongside two ownerless Chinese passports found at the scene.

Forensic analysis of the seized electronics uncovered malicious advertising (malvertising) websites, fake deposit registration pages, identity photos of users, group chat logs arranging deposit transactions, and clear evidence of fund liquidations.

The four suspects admitted to managing websites specifically built to defraud digital payment application users. Under their scheme, victims were instructed to deposit specific sums of money into designated accounts. However, whenever users attempted to withdraw their balances, the syndicate blocked the transactions using a variety of manufactured pretexts. Some suspects also claimed that the destination accounts used to receive the stolen funds did not belong to them.

According to Ronald, the group wasn't working entirely alone. "They also admitted to carrying out the activity on the orders of an individual with the initials TS, who is believed to be in China. All of the foreign nationals are currently being held at the West Jakarta Immigration Office for further investigation," he added.

The suspects face severe Administrative Immigration Sanctions, including deportation and formal blacklisting, as outlined in Article 75 Paragraph (1) of Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011. Additionally, they are accused of violating Article 122 A regarding visa misuse and stay permit violations. Moving forward, the West Jakarta Immigration Office will coordinate directly with the Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement under the Directorate General of Immigration to finalize legal proceedings.

Head of the Jakarta Special Region Immigration Regional Office, Pamuji Raharja, highly commended the swift action of the West Jakarta team.

"I appreciate the swift action of the West Jakarta Immigration Office in monitoring and prosecuting foreign nationals suspected of immigration violations and activities detrimental to the community. This demonstrates the Immigration Office's commitment to maintaining order and security in the region," Raharja stated.

To ensure broader regional security, immigration authorities have called on the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious behavior or disruptive activities involving foreign nationals in their local neighborhoods. ***