Indonesia to Review Visa-Free Policies After Mass Arrests of Foreign Scammers and Gambling Operators

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Indonesia to Review Visa-Free Entry Policies After Mass Arrests of Foreign Scammers and Gambling Operators

JAKARTA — Indonesian authorities are evaluating the country’s visa-free entry policies for Southeast Asian nationals following the recent arrest of hundreds of foreign nationals accused of operating illegal gambling and scam operations. The move comes after two major raids in recent days, one in Jakarta and another in Batam, Riau Islands, where investigators uncovered organized criminal networks exploiting Indonesia’s visa-waiver program.

More than 500 foreigners detained In the largest operation, Indonesian police detained over 500 individuals—primarily from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar—all of whom benefit from Indonesia’s 30-day visa-free stay policy. Chinese nationals, who do not qualify for visa-free entry, were also among those arrested. The raids targeted an online gambling ring in Jakarta and a scamming syndicate in Batam, where investigators found evidence of coordinated fraudulent activities.

Hendarsam Marantoko, the head of Indonesia’s immigration agency, stated that the illicit activities represented a "serious concern" and warranted a policy review. "Cases of foreigners involved in illegal activities, including those coming from countries granted visa-free entry facilities, give rise to (a need for) evaluation" of current policies, he said in an official statement.

Exploitation of visa-waiver program Investigators confirmed that many of those arrested had entered Indonesia using visa waivers or permits obtained upon arrival. The crackdown follows a surge in administrative actions by immigration authorities, including over 6,700 deportations and cancellations of stay permits in recent weeks—more than 2,000 of which were carried out in the past month alone.

The arrests in Batam alone involved 210 foreign nationals, according to local police reports, with authorities describing the operation as part of a broader effort to dismantle transnational scam networks targeting victims across the region. Similar raids have been conducted in Jakarta, where police uncovered an online gambling operation linked to foreign operatives.

Broader implications for regional security Indonesia’s decision to review its visa-free policies could have ripple effects across Southeast Asia, where visa-waiver agreements are designed to facilitate tourism and business travel. The affected countries—Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar—are all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the move may prompt discussions on regional security cooperation.

While Indonesia has not announced specific changes to its visa policies, officials have indicated that stricter screening measures may be introduced for nationals of countries currently granted visa-free access. The government has also pledged to enhance cross-border intelligence sharing with neighboring nations to combat organized crime.

Public response and next steps The crackdown has drawn attention to Indonesia’s role as a hub for cross-border criminal activities, particularly in financial scams and illegal gambling. Local media reports suggest that the arrested individuals were part of larger syndicates operating with impunity due to the ease of entry under the visa-waiver program.

Indonesian authorities have not yet specified a timeline for the policy review, but officials have emphasized the need for "swift and decisive action" to address the abuse of immigration privileges. The case has also reignited debates about the effectiveness of Indonesia’s current immigration enforcement mechanisms.

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