INDONESIA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) is currently investigating the recruitment of Indonesian citizens as operators for online gambling activities in the Philippines. This investigation follows a police raid on August 31, 2024, at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, which exposed significant illegal gambling operations.

Inpector General Krishna Murti, the Head of the International Relations Division at Indonesian Police (Polri), highlighted the necessity of identifying the individuals behind this scheme and understanding their operational methods.

He stated, “We need to find out who is behind this and how it operates. The Criminal Investigation Division and the Metro Jaya Police will delve deeper into the case.”

This inquiry is part of a broader initiative to combat illegal labor trafficking, especially in light of the recent arrests of 569 Indonesians involved in online gambling in the Philippines.

Polri is dedicated to uncovering the primary actors responsible for this illegal labor network, alongside ongoing preventative measures from the government.

Collaboration between various governmental bodies is crucial in this effort. The National Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BP2MI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are actively involved in addressing these issues. The government aims to enhance the protection of its citizens working abroad, particularly in vulnerable situations.

Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that around 4,730 Indonesians are involved in online scams across eight countries, with the majority being located in Cambodia and the Philippines.

This alarming trend has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of Indonesian nationals abroad.