Online Scam Syndicate Under The Guise Of Chinese Police Revealed In South Jakarta, Here's How They Trick Victims

South Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Nicolas Ary Lilipaly/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA The South Jakarta Metro Police uncovered an international online fraud syndicate run by 11 foreign nationals (WNA) from China. Their mode: disguised as law enforcement officers from the Economic Investigation Detachment, Wuhan Police, China, is to deceive its victims through online media.

The perpetrators made a luxury house on Jalan Agricultural Raya, Lebak Bulus Village, Cilandak District, South Jakarta, their base of operation since March 2025. For almost five months, the house was transformed into a high-tech fraud center, complete with soundproof barriers and communication booths.

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South Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Kombes Pol Nicolas Ary Lilipaly, explained that the second floor of the house was used as the center of operation control. There, the perpetrators put a sound damping on the doors and windows to prevent their activities from being heard from outside.

The 2nd floor functions as an operational space, while on the first floor there are five small plywood booths covered with foam. That's where they call potential victims," Nicolas said at a press conference, Wednesday (30/7).

By posing as a police officer from China, the perpetrator intimidated the victim by telephone. They take advantage of the sophistication of communication technology and operate systematically, as if carrying out official duties from their home countries.

Interestingly, the perpetrators employed two Indonesian citizens (WNI) as household assistants (ART), but with strict restrictions. Both household members are only allowed to be in the kitchen and are not allowed to go up to the second floor or approach the booth where the perpetrators carry out the fraudulent act.

"All activities are kept secret even from ART. They are not given any access or information at all," said Nicolas.

Eleven perpetrators were arrested each with the initials LYF (35), SK (24), HW (33), CZ (47), YH (32), HY (48), LZ (33), CW (40), ZL (41), JW (36), and SL (37). All of them do not have valid immigration documents.

Currently, the suspects have been handed over to the South Jakarta Immigration Office for further legal proceedings.

The perpetrators were charged with Law No. 1 of 2024 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE), Article 378 of the Criminal Code concerning fraud. Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration

The police appealed to the public to be more alert to various modes of online fraud, especially on behalf of law enforcement officers, both at home and abroad. If they receive suspicious calls, residents are asked not to panic and immediately report to the authorities.