JAKARTA: The Central Java Police have broken up an international online scam syndicate using the ruse of cryptocurrency investment promising huge profits, which reportedly targeted 133 victims thought to be in the United States.
Controlled from Sukoharjo and Surakarta in Central Java, the syndicate used the so-called “pig butchering” method, which entraps victims emotionally by means of fake profiles of beautiful Indonesian women.
Central Java Police Cybercrime Investigation (Ressiber) Directorate head, Sr. Comr. Himawan Sutanto Saragih, said detectives had arrested 39 suspects, consisting of 28 Indonesians, seven Nepalese and four Myanmar nationals on May 20.
“From initial investigation, the syndicate worked from July 2025 to May 2026 and received US$2.32 million,” he said on Monday (June 1).
“Because the victims are United States citizens, we have requested the assistance of the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] to assist in the case.”
He added that the syndicate targeted foreigners as its victims.
The syndicate aimed at a pool of potential victims of some 5,000 people, and 133 of these fell for the crypto investment scam, Kompas.com reported.
The case started from a cyberpatrol conducted by the Ressiber Directorate on online scam activities. The suspects used PT Digi Global Konsultan as their business vehicle, being operated from seven locations, including rental houses, hotel rooms and boarding houses.
The suspects had different roles, from marketing, marketing assistants and leader to models who engaged in video calls with the victims. The suspects only used initials and received a salary of between Rp 10 million (US$560) and Rp 20 million.
Also arrested was an Indonesian identified only as ASC, who provided various facilities for the syndicate conducting its criminal acts. Himawan said that another Indonesian suspect was a former model, identified as Febiola Elizabeth, who was tasked with making video calls to the victims.
“Suspect F’s role was to make video calls to build trust with the victims,” Himawan said, as quoted by tribunnews.com on Tuesday.
In applying the pig butchering method, the syndicate built intensive emotional ties with the victims through online dating apps, such as Tinder, Puf and Boo, as well as social media platforms, such as Facebook.
Once trapped, the victims were immediately asked to transfer “investment funds” to the syndicate’s bank accounts.
Meanwhile, head of the Central Java regional office of the Immigration Directorate General, Haryono Agus Setiawan, said the Nepalese and Myanmar nationals entered Indonesia using tourist visas.
“If they are proven to have engaged in criminal activities, we will deport and blacklist them so they can never be able to enter Indonesia again,” he said.
The police confiscated several pieces of evidence, including 140 cellphones, 123 computers, two laptops, 78 monitors, 54 keyboards, four television sets, company documents, marketing operational guidance and motor vehicles.
The suspects have been charged under articles 51, 35, 45 and 28 of Law No. 1/2024 on electronic information and transactions, as well as Article 492 of the 2023 Criminal Code on fraud.
The articles carry a maximum punishment of 12 years’ imprisonment. Indonesia has seen rising instances of international online scamming and gambling syndicates operating in the country following law enforcement actions in countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam.
Most of the perpetrators exploit the loose visa regime, such as visa-on-arrival for certain countries and visa-free schemes for citizens from Asean member countries. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
