MEDAN: North Sumatra Police detained 19 people, including eight women, who were part of a Cambodian online gambling network in operation over two years, at Royal Condominium on Jl. Palang Merah in Medan with a turnover of Rp 7 billion (US$411,798).
Cyber Crimes Investigation Directorate chief Sr. Comr. Bayu Wicaksono said his officers raided the gambling den spread across the apartment's three different rooms on March 16. In addition to detaining 19 operators, detectives also confiscated evidence consisting of 17 computers, 75 cellphones, 11 ID cards, laptops and Wi-Fi equipment from various operators.
Bayu said the illegal business had been running for two years with a turnover of Rp 7 billion. He said the online gambling operation was run by a Cambodian syndicate by renting rooms 705 and 601 for operational activities while room 1005 was used as a control centre.
The syndicate leader, identified as BH, lives in room 1005 and was among those detained
The operators established teams, each with their own roles to promote, communicate and attract prospective players to join online gambling sites. Promotional material was marketed aggressively through WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook to get players.
“The network blasts invitations through WhatsApp luring the public to place their bets,” Bayu told a press conference on Thursday (March 26). He added the operators also create and distribute interesting advertisements to attract people to the site.
“The content is designed to give the impression that online gambling can give users fast and easy profits,” he said.
After the prospective players are interested, the operators will direct the registration process, from account registration, balance deposit to choosing games, such as slot, casino, roulette or sports gambling.
The players are directed to top up their balances through certain accounts or digital wallets before they can play. If a player wins, the money will be sent to a player’s account.
“The flow is similar to other online gambling in general. They promote, direct registration, deposit and the player can play,” he said.
“If a player wins, there will be a money transfer but if a player loses, the deposit will be immediately gone.”
He said the pattern showed that online gambling is an elaborate, organised digital business activity targeting the public through social media.
North Sumatra chief spokesman Sr. Comr. Ferry Walintukan said that the raided online gambling den was part of an international network. He said that one of the detained suspects had worked at online gambling network in Cambodia.
He said that the operators ran their illegal activities in a closed way. They are not allowed to leave their rooms without permission from the gang leader.
“Every player must deposit a minimum Rp 1 million per day. If they win, the player can withdraw the money to their personal account,” he said.
Commenting on the location, Ferry said it seemed the apartment management were not aware of the illegal activities because the operators were registered as regular tenants.
“However, we are still studying the possibilities of the involvement of other parties in the online gambling network,” Ferry said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
