Bali immigration arrests 17 foreigners over online loan syndicate

Badung, Bali (ANTARA) - Bali's Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has detained 17 foreigners suspected of running an online lending business in violation of their residence permits.

Office chief Muhamad Novyandri said the group comprised 15 Malaysians and two Singaporeans.

"They are suspected of misusing their residence permits and providing false information to obtain visas and residence permits," Novyandri said here Monday.

The suspects were detained during an immigration raid on their residence and operational base in Dalung, North Kuta, Badung District, on Thursday, October 22.

Preliminary questioning indicated that three suspects managed the operation, while the other 14 worked as administrators, Novyandri said.

The group advertised its online lending services on Facebook and directed prospective customers to several WhatsApp numbers.

They also collected customers' personal information, including employment details, salary slips and emergency contact information.

Novyandri said the group appeared to target foreign nationals, with investigators yet to identify any Indonesian customers.

Authorities have yet to determine the total value of loans issued or whether customers suffered financial losses during the group's operations in Bali.

The 17 foreigners are being held at an immigration detention facility while the investigation continues.

They may face administrative action under Article 75(1) of Indonesia's 2011 Immigration Law, which authorizes immigration officials to act against foreign nationals suspected of violating Indonesian law.

"We do not discriminate when taking action against foreigners who misuse their residence permits to work illegally in Bali," Novyandri said.

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Translator: Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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