In advance of the FIFA World Cup, police in Indonesia are reminding fans to be wary of online scams, resist “excessive fanaticism”, and refrain from sports betting, which is forbidden under Sharia law.
Indonesia strictly prohibits all forms of gambling, in person or online, by locals or foreigners. According to local news outlet Tempo, authorities are increasingly concerned that illegal online gambling operators fleeing a large-scale crackdown in Cambodia have set up shop in Indonesia. Last week, police stormed such an operation in West Jakarta, arresting more than 320 foreign nationals reportedly running 75 iGaming sites.
“Some of them came here specifically to work as online gambling [operators],” said Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra, director of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency. “This was conducted in a structured manner, using electronic systems and organized cross-border digital operations.”
The suspects hailed from a cross-section of Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand.
“We have anticipated and predicted this,” observed Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, of the National Central Bureau of Interpol Indonesia. He said police have identified transnational scam hubs elsewhere in Indonesia, including Surabaya, Denpasar and Batam.
Besides Indonesia, exiled Cambodian gambling operators are reportedly migrating to other Asian countries such as the Philippines, Timor Leste and South Africa.
World Cup betting could break records
The World Cup will play from 11 June to 19 July in three host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States. An estimated 6 billion viewers will tune in, making it the most-watched sporting event in history. By one estimate, fans will wager more than US$35 billion on the tournament, which will feature 48 teams and 104 matches.
In Indonesia, broadcaster TVRI will host a public viewing event on 34 regional stations. But all bets are off, said National Police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko at a TVRI press conference on 8 May.
“We must jointly anticipate football gambling,” Trunoyudo acknowledged. “But we must not allow this momentum to be exploited for illegal activities that could cause losses. Support your favorite team with positive enthusiasm. Don’t let excessive fanaticism disrupt public security and order.”
He also advised the public to report any suspected fraudulent activity through a public hotline.
Marjorie Preston
Marjorie began her gaming career in 2007 and has focused on Asian gaming markets since 2020. Outside of work, she writes about travel and film and plays the drums.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/esports/sports/ahead-of-world-cup-indonesian-police-warn-against-online-fraud-illegal-betting/
