Indonesian police have confirmed the extradition of 29 individuals over an alleged illicit gambling ring in the Philippines.
The International Relations Division of Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) stated 29 Indonesians were being transferred back to the country, accused of involvement in online gambling and online scam practices.
Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of the National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol of Indonesia, told a press conference that the group of Indonesian citizens had departed from the Philippines to Indonesia on Saturday (March 29).
“They were arrested by the Philippine security authorities for having allegedly committed crimes related to online gambling and online scam activities, which are illegal and prohibited by the Government of the Philippines,” he stated.
The group had been deployed within an operation at Kanlaon Tower, Pasay City, in the Manila Metro area, but it was a front for a scam company.
Further investigations and human trafficking rescue
Once back in their native land, the group of 29 were compelled to complete a questionnaire by the NCB Interpol Indonesia, which will be examined in detail by Polri’s International Relations Division.
There will also be further scrutiny of those involved.
“We will investigate these 29 people and separate those who are alleged victims and perpetrators,” added Widyatmoko.
The Brigadier General also spoke on a related issue, after Polri was involved in the repatriation of 569 Indonesian migrant workers who were victims of a human trafficking operation in Myanmar.
He briefed that the rescue was carried out across two phases, 400 people in the first phase, followed by the other 169.
The Indonesians impacted were forced to work in scamming campaigns, from bogus investment initiatives to fake romance efforts.
As of February this year, 6.800 Indonesian citizens are suspected of exposure to human trafficking operations abroad.
Image credit: Grok/X
