Indonesia immigration authorities arrest 103 Taiwanese nationals for suspected cybercrimes News
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Indonesia immigration authorities arrest 103 Taiwanese nationals for suspected cybercrimes

Indonesian immigration officials announced Friday the arrest of 103 Taiwanese nationals suspected of running a cybercrime operation in Bali. However, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs contested this claim, stating that according to information received by its unofficial diplomatic mission in Indonesia, only 14 of the 103 individuals arrested were believed to be Taiwanese nationals.

The arrests were conducted as part of “Operation Bali Becik 2024,” a collaborative effort between the Bali Becik Task Force and the Dempo Task Force of BAIS TNI (Indonesian Military’s Strategic Intelligence Agency). On Thursday, June 26, authorities apprehended the suspects during a raid on a villa in Marga District, Tabanan Regency, Bali. Saffar Muhammad Godam, Director of Immigration Control and Enforcement, stated that the operation was initiated based on intelligence provided by BAIS TNI to the Directorate General of Immigration.

In a subsequent press conference, Director Godam revealed that the 103 foreign nationals found in the villa were initially identified as Taiwanese citizens. He reported that these individuals were allegedly involved in suspicious activities believed to be cybercrime-related, citing their daily routines and the IT equipment discovered on-site as supporting evidence. While the cybercrime allegations remain under investigation, Godam emphasized that the suspects had clearly violated their residence permits, subjecting them to administrative immigration measures. The Directorate of Immigration Control and Enforcement confirmed that all 103 individuals are in custody, with deportation proceedings set to begin soon. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to disclose more details about the nature of the alleged cybercrimes.

This incident highlights a growing trend of cyber-fraud operations across Southeast Asia, prompting heightened vigilance from regional authorities. Countries including China, Indonesia, and Malaysia have ramped up efforts to combat these criminal networks. A similar case in 2018 saw Bali police arrest 103 Chinese nationals and 11 Indonesians for their alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar cyber-fraud syndicate targeting wealthy Chinese businessmen and politicians.

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