Risky Bulletin Newsletter
May 18, 2026
Risky Bulletin: Indonesia emerges as a new hub for cyber scams
Presented by
News Editor
Indonesia is emerging as a new hub for cyber scam operations and illegal online gambling in Southeast Asia after massive crackdowns in neighboring countries have sent criminal groups fleeing across borders and seeking to relocate facilities.
Local authorities have detained more than 550 suspects following three raids this month alone.
More than 200 suspects were detained after a raid on an apartment complex in the city of Batam on May 6. Another 321 were arrested in a commercial building near Jakarta's Chinatown neighborhood on May 10. Another 30 were then detained at guest houses on the island of Bali a few days after.