Officers sweep Baloi View apartments amid suspicions of large-scale online fraud operations.
Immigration officers in Batam have detained hundreds of foreign nationals in a major raid on Baloi View Apartments, amid suspicions the site was being used as a base for online scamming activities.
Initial Raid And Large-Scale Detention
Batam’s Class I Special TPI Immigration Office launched an enforcement operation at Baloi View Apartments on Wednesday morning, May 6, detaining “hundreds” of foreign nationals. Head of the office Wahyu Eka Putra confirmed the action and said officers are still verifying identities and conducting detailed headcounts to determine the exact number held.
Suspected Online Scamming Activity
Wahyu said early indications point toward suspected online scamming activities taking place in the complex, although investigators have not yet confirmed each individual’s specific role. He stressed that deeper interviews and digital forensics are needed to establish how many detainees were actively involved in fraudulent schemes versus those who may have been living or working there in other capacities.
Immigration Status And Country Of Origin Checks
Immigration officers are now tracing the detainees’ countries of origin and examining their visa and residency records to see whether they entered Indonesia legally and have valid permits. Those found to have breached immigration rules or engaged in criminal conduct could face deportation, prosecution, or both, depending on the findings of the joint investigation.
Transfer To Immigration Office For Further Investigation
All the foreigners detained at Baloi View have been moved to the Batam Immigration Office for further questioning and processing. Wahyu said a full account of the operation and its outcomes will be shared once data collection, document checks and preliminary interrogations are complete, underscoring that both immigration and potential cybercrime offences are being assessed.
Next Steps And Regional Immigration Response
Riau Islands Immigration chief Guntur Sahat Hamonangan also confirmed the arrests but said it is too early to disclose the suspected syndicate’s modus operandi. He noted that follow-up work is underway in coordination with other agencies, adding that more details will be released once authorities have a clearer picture of how the alleged network operated and whether additional suspects remain at large.
The Baloi View raid highlights fears that foreign scam syndicates are using Batam as a base for cross-border online fraud and shows immigration and law-enforcement agencies moving in tandem to disrupt such hubs. Indonesians and Singaporeans share an interest in these crackdowns, which aim to protect potential victims on both sides of the Strait and reinforce regional cybercrime defenses.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Batam Today (2026)
Keywords: Baloi View Raid, Batam Immigration Office, Suspected Scamming Activity, Foreign Nationals Detained, Kepri Immigration
