TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Police have uncovered an online gambling syndicate in an upmarket residential cluster in Sunter, North Jakarta on Tuesday.
"We are still tracing the extent of the network," said the sub-directorate chief for vice and violence of the Jakarta Police, Police Adj. Sr. Comr Herry Heryawan in Jakarta earlier today.
Herry said four key figures in the syndicate have been placed under police custody. The suspects are accused of running illegal gambling rings by using multiple websites to attract would-be gamblers.
After receiving a number of tip-offs from local residents, the police placed the house under surveillance for several days. Authorities then registered using a fake identity on one of the websites run by the syndicate, posing as a would-be gambler wishing to join in on the games.
Immediately after receiving the address of the illegal gambling ring, authorities then mobilised towards the heavily guarded home and promptly arrested four suspects, who will be charged under Law 303 on Gambling of the Indonesian Criminal Code.
TAUFIK RIDWAN | DESY SAPUTRA