RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - As part of broader efforts to prevent Indonesia from being used as a hub for cross-border crime, the immigration authorities in Bogor, West Java, have deported 13 Japanese nationals suspected of involvement in alleged online scamming.

Head of the Bogor Immigration Office, Ritus Ramadhana, said the deportation followed surveillance of suspicious activities in Sentul, Babakan Madang.

“Officers conducted an inspection on the night of March 2, 2026, after monitoring indications of suspicious activities on the ground,” he said on Thursday, April 16, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

During the operation, officers detained the suspects from three houses in Sentul City and seized evidence, including items resembling Japanese police identification, communication devices such as mobile phones and computers, and signal-boosting and scrambling equipment.

Investigators believe the group operated an organized online fraud scheme targeting Japanese citizens while operating from Indonesia using advanced communication technology.

Ritus added that three of the suspects failed to present valid travel documents at the time of arrest, strengthening allegations of immigration violations.

Indonesian Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, emphasized that the deportation reflects the government’s firm stance on law enforcement and national security.

“We do not tolerate the misuse of residence permits, especially for criminal activities. Indonesia must not be used as a base for transnational crime,” he said.

Authorities coordinated with the Police Attache of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta during the process, with the Japanese government covering repatriation costs.

Prior to deportation, the 13 individuals were held at the Jakarta Immigration Detention Center and have now been placed on a blacklist preventing their re-entry into Indonesia. ***