Indonesian police have uncovered an online gambling network that processed more than 1.03 trillion rupiah ($56.6 million) in transactions between January and August 2026. The operation involved three websites controlled from overseas, while its activities extended across Indonesia and other countries.
Five suspects were arrested in July in Jakarta, South Tangerang and Semarang. Investigators allege that they helped establish a shell company and open bank accounts to collect gambling proceeds from the overseas-operated websites.
$2.8 million frozen
The network processed an average of around 8.6 billion rupiah ($473,000) in transactions per day during the eight-month period.
Authorities have frozen approximately 51 billion rupiah ($2.8 million) held by five payment service providers. Police said the funds were linked to transactions processed through the gambling network.
Investigators believe the use of payment intermediaries allowed the operators to move gambling proceeds through Indonesia’s financial infrastructure.
Police search for alleged organiser
The five arrested suspects are accused of facilitating the network’s operations, including setting up a shell company and opening bank accounts to handle funds generated by the overseas-based websites.
Investigators are also searching for a sixth suspect believed to have directed the operation. Police said the websites were controlled from outside Indonesia but operated across Indonesia and other countries.
The five suspects could face up to 15 years in prison under Indonesian laws covering electronic fund transfers and criminal offences.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the network’s structure, the movement of funds and the role of the alleged organiser.
Source: New Straits Times
