Police arrest six suspects, including two Chinese nationals, who deceived elderly victims through hypnosis.
A cross-border fraud syndicate operating in Batam and Bintan has been dismantled after police arrested six suspects, including two Chinese nationals accused of masterminding a hypnosis-based scam that targeted elderly victims.
Syndicate Uncovered in Batam
The Barelang Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim Polresta Barelang) revealed the syndicate on September 23, 2025, during a press conference. The group consisted of six individuals: CS (58) and WM (49) from China, along with LM (62), A (43), TLP (62), and DS (37) from Indonesia. Authorities confirmed CS acted as the mastermind, with others taking roles as translators, drivers, and coordinators.
How the Scam Worked
The scheme relied on psychological manipulation. Victims, mainly elderly Chinese-Indonesians, were approached under the pretext of seeking medical treatment locations. Once lured into a car, the suspects used intimidation and false promises of spiritual “healing” to pressure victims into retrieving cash and valuables from their homes. Items were placed into plastic bags, allegedly for prayers, but were secretly swapped with bags containing ordinary goods like bottled water, salt, and tissues.
Victim Reports and Losses
Police said the scam began on September 11, 2025, and had already been carried out at least three times before arrests were made. Losses reported reached Rp170 million (approximately SGD 13,600). In one notable case, a 65-year-old woman in Bengkong lost nearly Rp128 million (around SGD 10,200) after being deceived in mid-September.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Following a victim’s report on September 15, the Barelang Police formed a Jatanras (violent crime unit) team. On September 18, officers tracked down the suspects at a hotel in Nongsa, Batam. Police seized evidence including Rp28.4 million in cash, foreign currencies in Singapore dollars and Malaysian ringgit, as well as a black Daihatsu Xenia used by the syndicate.
Official Statements
Wakapolresta Barelang AKBP Fadli Agus emphasized that the arrests demonstrated police commitment to public safety, urging citizens not to fall prey to such schemes. Kasat Reskrim Kompol M. Debby Tri Andrestian added that the Chinese suspects had deliberately come to Batam to carry out the operation and recruit local accomplices.
Legal Action and Public Warning
The six suspects face charges under Article 378 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) for fraud, carrying a maximum penalty of four years in prison. Police are investigating whether additional victims exist and whether the syndicate is linked to a wider regional network. Authorities have warned the public to remain vigilant against similar scams.
The case highlights how transnational criminal groups exploit vulnerable communities in Indonesia, particularly the elderly. With Batam’s proximity to Singapore and its role as a regional hub, the incident raises concerns about broader cross-border fraud risks affecting both Indonesians and Singaporeans.
Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Info Negeri (2025)
Keywords: Hypnotic Scam, Batam Police, Chinese Nationals, Fraud Syndicate, Elderly Victims, Barelang Arrest
