Court convicts mastermind and associates in multimillion-rupiah gambling network disguised as digital marketing.
A Batam court has sentenced online gambling operator Candra Wijaya, also known as Monster, to five years and six months in prison for running a large-scale illegal gambling syndicate out of luxury apartments in Lubuk Baja.
Ringleader Sentenced
On August 20, 2025, the Batam District Court, led by judges Andi Bayu, Douglas Napitupulu, and Dina Puspasari, handed down the verdict against Candra. He was convicted under Article 45(3) in conjunction with Article 27(2) of the ITE Law and Article 55 of the Penal Code, receiving 5 years and 6 months imprisonment and a Rp2 billion fine, or three months’ jail in default. The sentence was lighter than the prosecution’s demand of eight years, with a six-month substitute sentence.
Gambling Hub in Luxury Apartments
Prosecutors revealed that since April 2024, Candra operated three gambling sites—HAMSAWIN, FORWIN87, and BOTAKWIN—from apartments in the Aston and Formosa complexes in Batam. He managed the operation like a digital marketing company, recruiting telemarketers, buying laptops and mobile phones, and establishing structured work systems. The syndicate recorded an estimated Rp1.43 billion (S$114,400) in revenue over just eight months.
Structured Telemarketing Network
At the core of the business was a team of telemarketers tasked with recruiting players through WhatsApp and Telegram links. Prosecutors said they were paid Rp4 million monthly, but salaries were cut to Rp1.5 million if they failed to secure 250 new players per month. “This practice demonstrates a well-planned management system, pointing to organized digital crime,” noted prosecutor Aditya Otavian.
Lighter Sentences for Accomplices
Alongside Candra, Dinda Nuramaliah, who recruited staff, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison and a Rp2 billion fine. Meanwhile, nine telemarketers—including Zidan Akbar, Andi Ismail, and others—each received 2 years’ imprisonment and fines of Rp2 billion. All sentences were lighter than prosecutors’ original demands of 5 years for Dinda and 3 years for the telemarketers.
Professional-Style Operations
Court documents and digital forensics confirmed that the syndicate operated much like a professional call center, with telemarketers handling customer service, distributing links, and managing payments. Prosecutors highlighted the systematic nature of the operation as evidence of a digital-age organized crime ring.
Asset Seizures and Reactions
The court also ordered the confiscation of Rp34 million in cash belonging to Candra for the state. While Candra accepted the verdict, prosecutors said they would “consider further steps.” The ruling concluded a months-long trial that exposed how Batam’s high-rise apartments had been converted into nerve centers for illicit gambling.
The Batam verdict against Candra Wijaya and his associates highlights the evolving face of organized crime in Indonesia, where digital platforms and professional-style operations are repurposed for illegal activities. The case underscores the growing need for stronger cybercrime enforcement, with implications for both Indonesia and nearby Singapore, where online gambling networks often seek cross-border players.
Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Batamtoday.com (2025)
Keywords: Batam Gambling, Online Syndicate, Candra Wijaya, Luxury Apartments, Telemarketing Network, Digital Crime
