Riau Islands Police: 88 Suspects Of Love Scamming China Only 2 Months In Batam

Police showed the venue for the action of 88 "love scamming" suspects from China in Batam (ANTARA/Yude)

The Riau Islands Police said 88 suspects in the crime of fraud under the guise of romance (love scamming) from China, had only been carrying out their actions in Batam, Riau Islands. It is certain that no Indonesian citizen will become a victim.

"They have only been carrying out their actions at the location in Batam for two months, but before the two months there was action in other places, we are still investigating it," said the Director of Special Crimes (Dirkrimsus) of the Riau Islands Police, Kombes Nasriadi, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 30.

He explained that the choice of Batam City to commit crimes by the 88 suspects from China was because Batam was an easy border area to enter, both from Singapore by sea, and from Jakarta by air.

"The places they choose are places bordering other countries. Yesterday's example, there were also the same cases found in West Kalimantan," he said.

The police have also checked with immigration and it is known how the suspects entered.

"Some are from China to Singapore and from Singapore they have just gone to Batam by sea, some are from China to Jakarta and from Jakarta to Batam by air.

In addition, if there is a raid, they think it is easy to escape, either by air transportation using international flights, or through an international port in Batam. So, they come in groups all over to Batam. That's why they chose Batam as a place of operation," he explained.

In this case, his party has also confirmed that there are no victims of Indonesian citizens (WNI).

"All of the victims came from abroad, all of the losses suffered by the victims were around 10 thousand Yuan or equivalent to Rp. 20 billion," said Nasriadi.