6 Influencers In Yogyakarta Whose Online Gambling Promotions Are Arrested, Police Track Bandar

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of the Yogyakarta Special Region Police held a press conference regarding the disclosure of online gambling at the Yogyakarta Regional Police Headquarters, Yogyakarta, Tuesday (2/7/2024) (ANTARA/Luqman Hakim)

The Yogyakarta Special Criminal Investigation Directorate arrested six influencers for allegedly promoting online gambling sites through their social media accounts. Dirreskrimsus Polda DIY Kombes Idham Mahdi said the six influencers were arrested in May-June 2024. "The person concerned is an influencer and also the one who assists in operating, looking for online gambling players," said Idham during a press conference at the Yogyakarta Police Headquarters, Antara, Tuesday, July 2. According to Idham, of the six people arrested, namely GB (23), AS (22), MI (23), LA (23), MK (22), and KS (49), three of them are still students or students. Through various social media accounts owned, ranging from Instagram, Facebook, and X accounts, these influencers market online gambling sites and every time they get players they get rewarded. "They have followers, many followers so that in carrying out their operations it is easier," he said. Based on the confessions of the suspects, said Idham, they have carried out their role for two months and have received a reward of Rp. 3 million to Rp. 5 million per month from online bookies. "The returns are directly through transfers and do not meet face to face. This is what we need to develop, we need to coordinate with all relevant stakeholders," he said. According to Idham, the Yogyakarta Regional Police will still carry out developments and investigations to hunt down the online bookie through joint investigations and coordinate with the Directorate of Cyber Crime, Bareskrim Polri. "Given the reach of these bookies in various places, later we will joint the investigation with other Polda and the Directorate of Cyber Crime of the Police," said Idham. As a result of their actions, the perpetrators have been named as suspects. They were charged with Article 45 Paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 27 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 11 Year 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) as amended by Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning ITE with a maximum penalty of 9 years in prison.

As a precautionary measure, Idham added that the Yogyakarta Police and the Yogyakarta Regional Police had blocked as many as 251 links to online gambling sites. "It has been submitted to the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police for follow-up by the Minister of Communication and Information to block this gambling site," said Idham Mahdi.