Jakarta. The National Police (Polri) launched a major overnight operation targeting an alleged international online gambling syndicate operating from a commercial office building in West Jakarta, detaining hundreds of foreign nationals suspected of involvement in transnational cybercrime activities.

The raid was carried out by the Cyber Crime Directorate of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), in coordination with Jakarta Metropolitan Police. The operation began late Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday in the Hayam Wuruk area of West Jakarta.

Authorities maintained tight security around the building throughout Saturday morning as investigators secured evidence and continued processing individuals detained during the operation.

Journalists at the scene observed hundreds of foreign nationals gathered inside a large office space filled with computer workstations and multiple monitors. The detainees, consisting of adult men and women, were seated in rows at long desks believed to have been used as the operational center for the online gambling network.

Some of the individuals wore face masks while being escorted by police officers.

According to preliminary information gathered by investigators, the detainees include nationals from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Myanmar, South Korea, and Malaysia. Police suspect they were part of an international syndicate operating online gambling platforms targeting users across multiple countries.

Investigators believe the operation had been running for an extended period and was managed using sophisticated digital systems. Two floors of the office building were reportedly leased specifically to support the gambling activities.

During the raid, authorities confiscated a large quantity of electronic and non-electronic evidence, including desktop computers, laptops, servers, documents, safes, and access credentials linked to online gambling websites allegedly operated from the premises.

The scale of the digital infrastructure seized suggests the organization maintained a complex and highly structured operational network, police said.

Investigators are also examining possible international money flows and the involvement of individuals in Indonesia suspected of facilitating the syndicate’s activities.

Security at the site remained heavy on Saturday morning, with dozens of heavily armed Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) personnel stationed outside the glass-fronted office building. Officers equipped with tactical gear, including helmets, bulletproof vests, face coverings, and assault rifles, guarded the main entrance.

Private security personnel dressed in black were also seen monitoring the surrounding area.

Police lines were installed around the lobby area, where rows of chairs and microphones appeared to have been prepared for questioning procedures or a possible press briefing.

The operation marks one of Indonesia’s largest recent crackdowns on online gambling, an issue that has become a major focus for law enforcement authorities. Online gambling networks are frequently linked to other criminal offenses, including money laundering, digital fraud, and transnational organized crime.

As of Saturday afternoon, police had not released official figures regarding the number of detainees or clarified the legal status of those taken into custody.

Authorities from the National Police public relations division and Jakarta Police had yet to issue a formal statement on the ongoing investigation.

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