Indonesia Police Raid Luxury Home of Foreigners for Suspected Online Fraud Syndicate

"We confirm that on Tuesday, April 4 about 10:00 a.m. local time, we investigate and arrest [them] at three different locations," said Brigadier General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, Director of General Crimes of Bareskrim on Wednesday, April 5.

Although they allegedly conducted their online fraud from Indonesia, the victims were mostly abroad.

The perpetrators used Mandarin in carrying out their fraudulent activities. The modus operandi of the perpetrators was to call the victims and pretend to be local police. They would then demand money from the victims.

"What the perpetrators did was similar to phone fraud, pretending to be police officers. Sometimes they would demand a ransom, and they would do such things," Djuhandani said.

Another modus operandi was selling electronic goods to the victims. However, after payments were made, the goods never be delivered.

Also read: Indonesian Police Uncover International Fraud Scheme Worth $19.5 Million

Djuhandhani said that during their operation, the perpetrators were believed to have made billions of rupiah each month.

However, the police were unable to conduct further investigations as most of the victims were living outside the country.

"The crime scene is in the Indonesian territory, but the victims are in Singapore, Thailand, and China, and so far, we have not received any reports or been able to directly obtain information from the victims based on their statements," said Djuhandhani.

Currently, the police are unable to confirm the nationality of the perpetrators because they cannot provide their passports.