Virtual Office Blank, Fictitious Company, Immigration Tangerang Ciduk 10 Foreigners Bodong Investors

TANGERANG - The Class I Immigration Office for Non-TPI Tangerang again secured ten foreign nationals (WNA) who were suspected of committing fraudulent investment practices in Indonesia.

Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Banten, Felicia Sengky Ratna, said all foreigners arrested came from two countries, namely eight Pakistani citizens and two Iraqis.

"The foreigners are known to live in two apartment rooms inhabited by five people each with a rental fee of Rp. 2.5 million per month. However, during their stay in Indonesia, they did not do any business even though they entered using an investor's residence permit," Felicia said when releasing the disclosure of the case in Tangerang, Antara, Wednesday, November 26.

Officers found that the underwriters' residence permits were not in accordance with the provisions. The investor company's office turned out to be a virtual office whose lease had not been extended, while other companies were known to have no offices and did not carry out operational activities.

From the results of the deepening, the ten foreigners also admitted that they did not know the details of the investment or the companies they claimed to invest in.

"This condition leads to strong indications that investment residence permits are only used as a shield to enter and live in Indonesia without a purpose that is in accordance with the provisions," he said.

Currently, all foreigners are detained at the Class I Immigration Office Special for Non-TPI Tangerang for further investigation. They are suspected of violating Article 123 letter a of the Immigration Law, which regulates the threat of imprisonment for a maximum of five years and a maximum fine of IDR 500 million.

Felicia emphasized that this action is proof of Immigration's seriousness in maintaining the integrity of investment services and closing gaps in the misuse of residence permits.

"Indonesia opens the door for real investors and provides benefits to the country, not for those who use permits only for other purposes," he said.