inp.polri.go.id - Batam. The Riau Islands Police Cyber Sub-Directorate V has uncovered suspected online gambling and/or money laundering (TPPU) involving dozens of foreign nationals in Batam City.
The investigation began on Sunday (5/10/2026) at around 4:00 PM, when the police received information from the public regarding suspicious activity at a shophouse in Sukajadi.
"Following up on this information, personnel immediately went to the location at 5:50 PM and discovered several suspicious activities inside the building. During the inspection, several people were seen attempting to escape through the rooftop. We managed to secure several of them with the assistance of local security personnel," said Riau Islands Regional Police Public Relations Chief Senior Superintendent Nona Procilia Ohei on Tuesday (5/12/2026).
Riau Islands Regional Police's Director of Criminal Investigation, Senior Superintendent Silvester Mangombo Marusaha Simamora explained that, based on the data collected, officers arrested 24 foreign nationals, including three Cambodian citizens, 14 Vietnamese citizens, one Syrian citizen, two Chinese citizens, and four Filipino citizens.
Based on initial investigations, the first and second floors of the building were allegedly used as a lottery-type gambling operation, while the third floor was used as a rented room for staying.
"The modus operandi used was to utilize Facebook social media through live streaming to attract potential players. The perpetrators allegedly played roles as hosts, customer service representatives, operators, and even fake players to create the impression that the game offered significant profits to players," explained Silvester.
He said that based on the investigation, officers also visited another location in the Orchard Park Business Centre (OPBC) area suspected of being connected to the activity. At the second location, officers found several computers and lottery cards with the same pattern, even though the building was empty.
From the two locations, officers managed to secure various pieces of evidence in the form of CPU units, monitors, laptops, cellphones, wifi routers, and tens of thousands of dragon-themed lottery cards which were allegedly used as operational means for online gambling.
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