West Java Police Dismantle SEO Services Promotion Online Gambling Sites

Acting Head of Public Relations of the West Java Regional Police, Kombes Irfan Nurmansyah, in the release of an online gambling case in Bandung City, West Java, Friday (22/8/2025). (ANTARA/Rubby Jovan)

The Directorate of Cyber Investigation (Ditresiber) of the West Java Police revealed the services of the search engine optimization (SEO) service network used to optimize online gambling sites.

Acting Head of Public Relations of the West Java Regional Police, Kombes Irfan Nurmansyah, said that his party managed to apprehend six suspects who were arrested in a number of areas, including Teluk Jambe District, Karawang Regency.

"Their modus operandi is to use SEO to increase the ranking of online gambling sites on search engines so that they appear on the first page of the search," said Irfan as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 22.

Irfan said the syndicate operates from 2023 to 2025 by increasing the ranking of online gambling sites on search engines so that people can find them easily.

He revealed that the suspects managed a website called Garuda Website that advertised five online gambling sites.

"Each site generates a profit of IDR 10 to 15 million per month with a total profit of around IDR 500 million for two years," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Sub-Directorate 2 of the West Java Regional Police, AKBP Afrito Marbaro, emphasized that his party is still developing an investigation to trace international networks, including those operating in Cambodia and Canada.

Arfito said investigators also secured evidence such as 11 laptops, eight cellphones, 59 visa cards, one BCA account, Rp7 million in cash, and two four-wheeled vehicles.

Several holding accounts have also been submitted to be blocked. The West Java Regional Police are committed to continuing to thoroughly investigate this online gambling network in order to protect the public from its negative impacts," he said.