Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Directorate General of Immigration has uncovered an international love scam and extortion syndicate operated by Chinese citizens, following an investigation in Tangerang, Banten, in early January 2026.

“We conducted immigration surveillance operations in Tangerang from 6 to 16 January 2026 and uncovered organized online fraud activities,” Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman said at a press conference on Monday (19/1/2026), as cited by antaranews.com.

The case was revealed after officers probed suspicious activity at a house in the Gading Serpong area. A raid on January 8 led to the arrest of 13 Chinese citizens and one Vietnamese. Subsequent operations on 10 and 16 January 2026 resulted in the detention of 11 additional Chinese nationals at separate locations.

Investigators found the suspects targeted mostly South Korean victims abroad, initiating contact via Telegram before coercing victims through recorded video calls for extortion. Authorities seized hundreds of mobile phones, laptops, computers, and network equipment.

All suspects are currently detained for immigration violations, while investigators continue to hunt for other network members in Indonesia.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)