Indonesia to review visa waivers after foreign scammers’ arrests – The Jakarta Post

Indonesia is reviewing its visa waiver policies following a series of arrests of foreign nationals involved in online fraud and illegal gambling operations. The move is part of a broader effort by the government to prevent the country from being utilized as a hub for international scamming syndicates.

The Directorate General of Immigration has identified 15 sponsors linked to 320 foreign nationals involved in an online gambling operation known as Judol Hayam Wuruk. This crackdown targets the infrastructure supporting illegal gambling, specifically focusing on the individuals who facilitate the entry and stay of foreign operators.

In a separate enforcement action, immigration authorities secured 210 foreign nationals who were allegedly part of an online fraud network. These arrests indicate a pattern of foreign nationals exploiting entry policies to establish illicit operational bases within the country.

Technological and Preventative Measures

To combat the proliferation of these networks, Indonesia is deploying artificial intelligence to identify and shut down online gambling websites. The integration of AI is intended to increase the speed and accuracy of detecting illegal platforms that often shift domains to evade manual detection.

the Indonesian National Police, known as Polri, have issued a public advisory warning citizens and visitors to remain vigilant against fraud and gambling practices. This warning is specifically timed ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as authorities anticipate an increase in opportunistic criminal activity and fraudulent schemes targeting the influx of international visitors during the tournament.

The review of visa-free entry policies suggests a shift toward stricter border controls to ensure that travel waivers are not misused by organized criminal elements to facilitate cross-border fraud.