Indonesian police arrest four over online gambling operation linked to Kuala Lumpur

Indonesian police have arrested four people suspected of operating an online gambling website in an apartment complex in West Jakarta, with investigators saying the operation generated an estimated 2 billion rupiah ($120,000) in monthly turnover and had links to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The raid was conducted on Wednesday, 21 October, by the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency, known as Bareskrim, through its Cyber Crime Directorate. Police identified the website as Boxkia.com.

Police found an office-style operation inside the apartment, including extensive computer equipment and a dedicated studio fitted with a green screen, professional lighting and ring lights. A sign reading “LIVE STREAMING ROOM” was also visible, with investigators suspecting the space was used to promote the gambling website.

Footage of the raid showed people gathered in an office corridor under the supervision of officers wearing cybercrime unit vests. Some were seen sitting on the floor while police carried out checks.

Website offered spin and gacha games

Deputy Director of the Cyber Crime Directorate, Senior Commissioner Setyo Koes Heriyanto, said investigators began examining the website after identifying online gambling content.

“The Cyber Crime investigators began an investigation into a website containing gambling activity on the b***ia.com site. The site provided games such as spin games and gacha, in which players exchanged their winnings for prizes,” Setyo said in a statement on Friday, 23 October.

The website reportedly used virtual currency for gameplay and prize exchanges. To facilitate transactions, its operators provided several payment methods, including QRIS, Indonesia's standardised QR-code payment system, BRIVA, a payment service associated with Bank Rakyat Indonesia, and USDT, a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar.

The site had an estimated monthly turnover of around 2 billion rupiah. Police have not provided a breakdown of the transactions or the amount of money allegedly earned by each suspect.

Four suspects held as investigators examine their roles

The four people arrested comprised one Chinese national, Jhiazi, and three Indonesian citizens: Farhan Akbar Djafar, Alfi Sena Pradipta and Lesica. The suspects were allegedly assigned different roles in the operation, with one responsible for overseeing activities, another working in the electronics division, a third serving as an administrator and the fourth handling finances.

Investigators said they were still examining the suspects' respective responsibilities and their possible connections to a wider network.

Cyber Crime Director Brigadier General Suhermanto said the police would pursue not only those suspected of running the website but also the financial flows associated with online gambling.

“Combating online gambling is one of the National Police chief's priority programmes. We will continue efforts to uncover those involved, including by tracing the operational systems, transaction facilities and financial flows connected to online gambling activities,” Suhermanto said in a statement on Thursday, 22 October.

Police seize computers, phones and bank cards

During the raid, officers seized eight mobile phones, three bundles of documents, 19 computer processing units and monitors, seven Bank Central Asia (BCA) ATM cards and seven ATM cards issued by Chinese banks.

The suspected headquarters was sealed, while the four suspects and the seized evidence were taken to Bareskrim for further investigation.

Police are examining the equipment, payment channels and financial records as part of efforts to establish how the website operated and identify people who may have benefited from the suspected gambling activity.

The investigation also seeks to determine whether other individuals were involved in operating or financing the website.

Investigators examine suspected international links

Setyo said the website's operations were based in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. According to statements made by the suspects, the activity had been running since 2024.

“The website is indeed based in Jakarta, but its operations are conducted in two cities, namely Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” Setyo said.

He added that investigators suspected the operation might be part of an international network.

“At this stage, the investigation is still being developed, but they are suspected of being part of an international network,” he said.