RRI.CO.ID, Batam - Authorities in Batam, Riau Islands, have detained 210 foreign nationals suspected of running online investment scams. The arrests were carried out by the Class I Special Immigration Office TPI Batam, marking one of the largest crackdowns on cyber fraud in the region.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko confirmed that the group consisted of 125 Vietnamese, 84 Chinese, and one Myanmar national. Of the 210 individuals, 163 are men and 47 are women.

"They are currently undergoing examination at the Batam Immigration Office,” he said on Friday, May 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara, adding that initial handling is being conducted under immigration law and that if criminal elements are found, cases will be handed over to the police.

The suspects are believed to have violated Article 75(1) of Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration, which allows administrative action against foreigners engaged in activities deemed harmful to public security and order.

Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement, Brig. Gen. Yuldi Yusman, explained that the case was uncovered following intelligence monitoring in mid-April 2026. Suspicious activity was detected at Baloi View Apartments, leading to four weeks of covert surveillance before a joint operation with the Riau Islands Police on May 6 involving 60 personnel.

The raid targeted two locations: Baloi View Apartments and a residential house in Batam. Investigators found that the apartment’s ground floor served as a lobby and operations hub, while upper floors housed more than 140 people. The fifth floor was allegedly used as a control center for the scam.

Authorities seized 131 computers, 93 laptops, 492 mobile phones, and 198 passports. Data showed that most suspects entered Indonesia using short-term visit permits: 103 on visa-free entry, 49 on B1 and D12 visit visas, and one on a limited stay permit (ITAS) as an investor.

Preliminary findings suggest the group operated fraudulent trading platforms, offering fake stock and foreign exchange investments targeting victims abroad, particularly in Europe and Vietnam. “The modus involved bogus trading applications pushed to overseas markets to siphon victims’ money,” Yuldi explained.

Batam Immigration Chief Wahyu Eka Putra said investigations are ongoing to determine whether Indonesian citizens were involved. He noted that most of the foreigners entered gradually via ports and airports, with Vietnamese nationals taking advantage of visa-free entry.

Of the 210 suspects, 198 passports have been secured, while 12 remain under tracing. Wahyu acknowledged that language barriers, especially with Vietnamese nationals, have posed challenges during questioning. ***