en.malanginspirasi.com – The Surabaya Immigration Office, in collaboration with the East Java Regional Police Cyber Directorate (Ditres Siber Polda Jatim) and Polresta Sidoarjo, dismantled an international online fraud network operating under the love scam modus operandi.
Four foreigners (WNA) were arrested in the operation.According to information shared by the official Surabaya Immigration account, the case involved at least 35 victims with total losses reaching approximately Rp1.1 billion.
The perpetrators used a classic yet highly effective method: building emotional relationships through social media using fake identities, then manipulating victims into sending money under various pretexts.
The disclosure began with routine monitoring and information exchange regarding foreigners conducted by the Surabaya Immigration Office.
This led to indications of immigration violations, which were then developed jointly with the police.
As a result, four foreign nationals from Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast were named as suspects.
They are alleged not only of committing online fraud but also of violating immigration stay permit regulations.
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East Java Cyber Crime Director Kombes Pol Bimo Ariyanto explained that the syndicate had been operating since around August 2025.
The perpetrators primarily targeted middle-aged women by building trust through romantic conversations, promises of gifts, and fabricated stories requiring financial assistance.
The victims’ money was then funneled into accounts controlled by the network.
This case serves as concrete proof that immigration oversight is not limited to passport checks and residence permits.
Immigration now also acts as the frontline in detecting potential transnational crimes, including sophisticated online scams that harm Indonesian citizens.
Head of the East Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Novianto Sulastono, stated that his agency will continue to strengthen synergy with other law enforcement agencies.
“We are not only protecting the country’s gates but also safeguarding the public from increasingly advanced criminal threats,” he said.
As of now, the investigation is still ongoing to uncover a wider network and trace the flow of victims’ funds.
Police urge the public, especially those active on social media, to remain vigilant against anyone who quickly builds emotional relationships and asks for money under various excuses.
Anyone who feels they have been a victim is encouraged to report immediately to the nearest police station so similar cases can be prevented earlier.
