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View all search resultsPolice bust international online scam syndicate in Central Java
Detectives arrested 39 suspects, consisting of 28 Indonesians, seven Nepalese and four Myanmar nationals on May 20, who swindled US$2.32 million from 133 victims.
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Central Java Police Cybercrime Investigation (Ressiber) Direcorate head Sr. Comr. Himawan Sutanto Saragih (front left) talks during a press conference on an online scam syndicate at the Central Java Police headquarters in Semarang on June 1, 2026. Detectives from Ressiber Directorate arrested 39 suspects in Sukoharjo and Surakarta on May 20. (JP/Suherdjoko)
T
he Central Java Police have broken up an international online scam syndicate using the ruse of cryptocurrency investment promising huge profits, which reportedly targeted 133 victims thought to be in the United States.
Controlled from Sukoharjo and Surakarta in Central Java, the syndicate used the so-called “pig butchering” method, which entraps victims emotionally by means of fake profiles of beautiful Indonesian women.
Central Java Police Cybercrime Investigation (Ressiber) Directorate head, Sr. Comr. Himawan Sutanto Saragih, said detectives had arrested 39 suspects, consisting of 28 Indonesians, seven Nepalese and four Myanmar nationals on May 20.
“From initial investigation, the syndicate worked from July 2025 to May 2026 and received US$2.32 million,” he said on Monday.
“Because the victims are United States citizens, we have requested the assistance of the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] to assist in the case.”
He added that the syndicate targeted foreigners as its victims.
The syndicate aimed at a pool of potential victims of some 5,000 people, and 133 of these fell for the crypto investment scam, Kompas.com reported.
