*) By: Andi Mahesa
The war on cybercrime, especially online gambling practices, has once again shown concrete and proud results. Recently, the Indonesian National Police through the Directorate of Cyber Crime of the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit succeeded in uncovering a large cross-country online gambling network involving thousands of accounts and perpetrators from various nationalities. This firm action marks an important milestone in the government’s efforts to protect the national digital space from infiltration by organized crime that exploits technological advances.
This strategic step deserves high appreciation, considering that the challenges faced are not only technical but also global in scale. Online gambling is no longer just a violation of the law in cyberspace, but has transformed into a transnational crime network that targets society with various manipulative modes, damages social order, and disrupts household economic stability. The
Head of the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Commissioner General Wahyu Widada, explained that the disclosure of this case was the result of solid intelligence work between the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK). Based on the official PPATK report, there were 5,885 accounts that were indicated to be used in online gambling activities. This figure reflects the scale of the operation, which is very large and complex, involving thousands of individuals spread across the country and abroad.
From the results of the investigation by the authorities, as much as IDR 75 billion was successfully confiscated as part of the law enforcement process. In detail, IDR 61 billion came from 164 accounts that had been frozen, while the remaining IDR 14 billion was cash that was successfully secured. Thousands of other accounts are currently in the process of being blocked and further investigated, which shows that the action is not over and the legal process will continue until it is complete.
Furthermore, Commissioner General Wahyu revealed that the Directorate of Cyber Crime of Bareskrim has handled 17 case files related to online gambling, and two of them have received legal decisions from the court. This indicates that the legal process does not stop at disclosure, but continues until there is legal certainty for the perpetrators.
One of the sites that was successfully dismantled in this operation was h55.hiwin.care, a platform known to be the base of operations for the international online gambling network. The main perpetrator is suspected of coming from China, which emphasizes that this crime is indeed cross-border and requires solid cross-country law enforcement cooperation.
Not only focusing on blocking accounts, the authorities also managed to arrest the perpetrators and hand them over to the Attorney General’s Office. The Director of Cyber Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, stated that the suspects had been handed over to the Attorney General for General Crimes (Jampidum) of the Attorney General’s Office complete with evidence.
The evidence includes two cars, nine cellphones, five computers, two modems, five ATM cards, five savings books, one bank token, cash of Rp475 million, 25,000 US dollars, 1,000 Singapore dollars, and money in accounts worth more than Rp5 billion. The value and form of this evidence reflect the economic dimension of the crime being handled – not just an illegal hobby, but a dark business operation involving sophisticated digital and financial infrastructure.
The success of this disclosure is clear evidence that the government is not remaining silent in the face of the wave of digital crime. The President of the Republic of Indonesia himself has given strict instructions to eradicate all forms of gambling, including online gambling. Support for the steps taken by the National Police and related institutions such as PPATK, the Attorney General’s Office, as well as the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia in terms of supervision and blocking of accounts, is an important pillar in overcoming this threat systematically.
Integrated steps like this show that the state is present in protecting its citizens from the destructive impacts of online gambling. Not only targeting the main perpetrators, but also cutting off the flow of funds and financial networks that support the syndicate’s operations. This is a holistic approach that must continue to be maintained and strengthened in the future.
Online gambling is not only against the law, but also targets the psychological and social aspects of society. Many cases show that victims of online gambling experience major financial losses, conflicts within the family, and even lead to other criminal acts such as theft, fraud, and domestic violence. Online gambling traps victims in a cycle of addiction that damages the future of individuals and their social environment.
Moreover, online gambling practices can also be a source of funding for other illegal activities such as money laundering, human trafficking, and funding international criminal networks. Therefore, the disclosure of large networks such as those carried out by the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit is not only a technical success, but also part of an effort to maintain the sovereignty of law and national security.
The success of the authorities in paralyzing the online gambling network needs to be a moment of reflection for all elements of society. The government and law enforcement have carried out their duties to the maximum, now is the time for the community to play an active role in protecting themselves and their environment from the trap of online gambling.
Beware of gambling advertisements that infiltrate social media and digital applications. Teach children and young people to stay away from all forms of gambling with an educational and persuasive approach. Report suspicious activities in cyberspace to the authorities, because digital security is a shared responsibility.
*) The author is a student who lives in Jakarta.
