Indonesian police recently dismantled a transnational online gambling syndicate linked to China and Cambodia, arresting 22 suspects across West Java Province. The group operated illegal gambling websites such as "Akasia899" and "Tanjung899," illegally profiting up to 20 billion Rupiah (approximately 1.2 million USD) in just 10 months.
According to police reports, the suspects include financial managers, marketing personnel, and customer service staff. They employed a large number of operators, each earning a monthly salary between 7 million and 10 million Rupiah, responsible for sending a massive amount of gambling advertisements daily using over 2,000 SIM cards and hundreds of WhatsApp accounts to lure users into betting.
The gang also converted gambling proceeds into cryptocurrencies disguised as commodity transactions to evade tracking and engage in money laundering activities.
The raid resulted in the seizure of 354 mobile phones, 23 computers, 2,648 SIM cards, ATM cards, cars, and communication equipment. The suspects will face multiple serious charges related to electronic information, gambling, and money laundering, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of 1 billion Rupiah.
