The Bali Regional Police have dismantled an international online gambling syndicate operating from luxury villas in the Canggu and Munggu areas of Badung and Tabanan regencies. A total of 39 Indian nationals were arrested during coordinated raids carried out on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
The operation was led by the Bali Police Cyber Investigation Directorate (Ditressiber). Officers raided two villas that were being used as operational headquarters for online gambling activities. One villa was located in Canggu, Badung, while the second was situated in the Munggu or Cempaga area of Tabanan.
Following questioning, police named 35 of the detainees as suspects. The remaining four individuals are still being examined as witnesses. All suspects are currently being held at the Bali Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation.
Suspects Posed as Tourists
Bali Regional Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya said the syndicate deliberately chose Bali as its base to avoid detection. The suspects blended in with the large number of foreign visitors on the island.
“They deliberately chose Bali to deceive law enforcement officers,” Daniel said during a press conference on Saturday, 7 February 2026. “They took advantage of the high number of Indian tourists visiting Bali and posed as vacationers.”
According to police, the suspects were involved in various roles within the operation. Daniel explained that they worked as administrators and telemarketers for the gambling platforms.
“They acted as admins and telemarketers, offering promotions through social media, providing gambling portals, accepting registrations from prospective players, receiving deposits, and executing withdrawals,” he said.
Investigators found that the syndicate had been operating in the Tabanan area since October 2025. The operation targeted online users through digital platforms and communication applications.
Rp8 Billion Monthly Turnover and Charges Filed
Police said the online gambling operation generated significant financial returns. Based on preliminary findings, the combined turnover from the two locations reached between Rp7 billion and Rp8 billion per month.
During the raids, officers confiscated dozens of electronic devices believed to have been used in the operation. The seized items included 45 mobile phones, 15 laptops, three personal computers, and two internet routers.
The suspects have been charged under multiple legal provisions. They are charged under Article 27 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 45 paragraph (3) of Law Number 1 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. They are also charged under Article 426 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
Under these provisions, the suspects face a maximum sentence of nine years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp200 million.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, including efforts to trace financial flows and identify other parties linked to the syndicate.
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