Indonesia Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling, Seizes $9.5M

Indonesia has seized $9.5 million worth of funds tied to illegal gambling operations, with authorities going after 811 separate bank accounts in what is one of the biggest operations conducted by authorities.

Millions Seized from Gambling-Linked Accounts in Indonesia

The latest move was launched by the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency and targeted accounts and individuals about whom police had “strong suspicion” of having been involved with illegal gambling, as confirmed by senior commissioner Fredy Saragih, who heads the Bareskrim’s cybercrime unit.

This is one of the largest stings against online gambling operations in Indonesia. The country has draconian anti-gambling laws and has been enforcing them with unflagging commitment, despite persistence on the part of black-market operators.

Indonesia has been proactive in tracking cybercrime and specifically offenses related to illegal gambling, with the country paying close attention to financial institutions. The Financial Services Authority issued an order earlier in August, ordering the suspension of 26,000 accounts that investigators deemed to be tied to gambling.

The accounts in question are said to have handled around $61 million worth of gambling-related transactions. In July, authorities also blocked another 17,000 accounts, similarly tied to illegal gambling.