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View all search resultsGovt to evaluate ASEAN visa-free travel after 210 scammers nabbed in Batam
Most of the foreigners detained are Chinese and Vietnamese nationals and entered Indonesia using the visa-free visit program (BVK) and visa-on-arrival (VoA).
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Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko (third left) holds evidence, consisting of passports and electronic devices, together with other Immigration officials, Riau Islands Police chief Insp. Gen. Asep Safrudin (third right) and Indonesian Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) secretary Brig. Gen. Untung Widiatmoko during a press conference on May 8 in Batam, Riau Islands. Immigration officers raided an international scam network at Baloi View Apartment in Batam on Wednesday, May 8, and arrested 210 foreigners. (JP/Fadli)
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mmigration authorities plan to evaluate the visa-on-arrival facility for certain countries indicated as the place of origin for online scammers setting up shop in the country, following a trend of cyber criminals moving from Cambodia and Vietnam.
The plan emerged after a joint operation of immigration and police officers which detained 210 foreigners working at an online scam center in Batam, Riau Islands, on Wednesday. Most of the detained foreigners are Chinese and Vietnamese nationals who entered Indonesia using the visa-free visit facility (BVK) and visa-on-arrival (VoA).
The foreigners consist of 125 Vietnamese, 84 Chinese and one Myanmar national.
Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said the phenomena of criminals entering as tourists in disguise triggered an alarm from the state security and sovereignty perspective.
He said that easy entry access was meant to support the investment and tourism sectors but instead was used by international crime syndicates.
“It is important for us to perform early detection and strengthen intelligence function along the borders” he told a press conference in Batam on Friday.
“If we need an evaluation of the visa-free policy for countries producing online scammers, then we will do so immediately.”
