BATAM, RAKYAT NEWS – Officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration and Corrections revealed the arrest of a Chinese fugitive linked to an online gambling syndicate at the Batam Immigration Office.

The individual, identified as Yan Zhenxing (YZ), was apprehended at the Batam Center International Harbor Immigration Checkpoint on December 2, 2024, as he attempted to cross into Indonesia from Singapore.

The suspect arrived aboard the Majestic vessel from Singapore’s HarbourFront Port. During routine checks, Batam immigration officials identified YZ as a ‘hit’ in the Border Control Management (BCM) system. This led to his immediate detention by the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team, as explained by Yuldi Yusman, Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement at the Ministry of Immigration.

Following the identification, the Batam Immigration Intelligence Team coordinated with the Directorate of Immigration Investigation and Interpol Indonesia. Through this collaboration, it was confirmed that YZ was the subject of a Red Notice issued by Interpol Beijing, requested by the National Central Bureau of China. The Red Notice, dated July 3, 2024, listed YZ as a fugitive sought for prosecution.

YZ is accused of being a key member of a criminal gang involved in money laundering and online gambling operations. The group allegedly ran a platform named Macau Zianja, which manipulated data to generate profits of approximately 130 million yuan (about 284 billion Indonesian Rupiah). This was part of an extensive online gambling scheme managed by the syndicate.

On December 5, 2024, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections officially handed over YZ to Interpol Indonesia for further legal processing. Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of Interpol Indonesia’s National Central Bureau (NCB), confirmed that they had contacted Interpol Beijing for the immediate transfer of the suspect, as he is listed as a wanted fugitive by China’s Interpol Bureau.

The operation underscores Indonesia’s role in combatting international crime, as Batam has been identified as a key entry point for fugitives. According to Kombes Pol. Ricky Purnama, the Head of International Crimes at NCB Interpol Indonesia, five immigration entry points are frequently used by foreign fugitives to enter Indonesia. These are Denpasar, Batam, Soekarno-Hatta (Cengkareng), Medan, and Surabaya.

Purnama highlighted that Batam was the second-most common entry point for international fugitives last year, though Surabaya has surpassed it this year. The findings are based on annual updates to the immigration data, which show trends in criminal activity and fugitives’ entry points. Batam remains a significant hotspot due to its proximity to Singapore, a key transit hub for international criminals.

The NCB Interpol Indonesia continuously evaluates and strengthens cooperation with other agencies to prevent foreign criminals from entering the country. This includes efforts to improve surveillance at these high-risk entry points. Purnama emphasized the importance of ongoing assessments to ensure that Indonesia remains vigilant against international organized crime syndicates operating within its borders.

The arrest of Yan Zhenxing is part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to combat online gambling and associated criminal activities, which have seen significant growth in recent years. This operation also highlights the effectiveness of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime, as well as the importance of immigration enforcement in curbing the entry of fugitives into Indonesia.

Through such actions, Indonesia is sending a strong message that it is committed to cooperating with international law enforcement agencies and maintaining a rigorous stance against organized crime, including online gambling and money laundering. The success of this operation serves as a reminder of the importance of coordinated global efforts to address transnational criminal networks.(Uki Ruknuddin)

 

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