World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
17 Malaysians and Singaporeans Detained over Suspected Bali Loan Operation
Indonesian immigration officers detained 17 foreign nationals at a villa in Dalung, Bali, on 22 October.
The group included 15 Malaysians and two Singaporeans, who authorities say misused their residence permits.
Officials found rooms set up as an online loan operation, with computers, phones, storage devices and cash.
The group allegedly advertised personal loans on Facebook and WhatsApp to people in China and other Asian countries outside Indonesia.
Borrowers faced interest rates of 20 to 30 percent, while each group of administrators had a monthly profit target of $7,800.
Authorities say the operation had been running for more than six months, and some of those detained had overstayed their permits.
The 17 are being held and face deportation and an entry ban; immigration officials say they will continue investigating.
Indonesian immigration officers detained 17 Malaysian and Singaporean nationals over suspected illegal online lending operations at a villa in Bali.
The group comprised 15 Malaysians and two Singaporeans, whom officials said had misused their residence permits.
Officers said the group targeted borrowers outside Indonesia, including people in China and other parts of Asia, with interest rates of 20% to 30%.
Authorities said the operation had been active in Bali for more than six months.
The detainees face deportation and inclusion on an immigration blacklist, according to officials.
- Who
- 17 foreign nationals: 15 from Malaysia and two from Singapore.
- What
- They were detained over suspected illegal online lending activity and alleged misuse of their residence permits.
- When
- The villa was raided on October 22; officials discussed the case at a news conference on October 26.
- Where
- A villa in Dalung, North Kuta district, Badung regency, Bali, Indonesia.
- Why
- Officials said the group used the villa to run an online lending operation targeting borrowers outside Indonesia.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Immigration officers raided a villa in Dalung and detained 15 Malaysian and two Singaporean nationals.
Ngurah Rai Immigration chief Muhamad Novyandri disclosed details of the case at a news conference.
- Detainees
- 17 nationals: 15 Malaysian and 2 Singaporean
- Location
- Villa in Dalung, North Kuta, Badung, Bali
- Interest rates
- 20% to 30%
- Operating period
- More than six months
- Monthly group profit target
- US$7,800
What people are saying
These 17 foreign nationals misused their residence permits and used the location as a place for suspected online loan administration activities.
Their target customers are foreigners who so far are not in Indonesian territory, so they are outside Indonesia.
Each group worked with a profit target of 7,800 USD per month.
The 17 foreign nationals have been detained at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office and will face deportation and be entered on the blacklist.