Denpasar: Indonesian police on the island of Bali have successfully dismantled a transnational online gambling network that was being orchestrated from Cambodia, taking into custody three students and one additional suspect in the process.

According to Thai News Agency, Azharie Kurniawan, who is the director of the cybercrime division of the Bali police, disclosed to local media on Wednesday that the four individuals arrested are Indonesian nationals aged between 22 and 31. These individuals had been working in online gambling operations in Cambodia but relocated to Bali after a crackdown on their operations abroad.

Gurniyawan further explained that the three students were employed as telemarketing agents, reaching out to as many as 400 Indonesians daily to promote a gambling application that offered sign-up bonuses. The fourth suspect, originating from Jakarta, was responsible for handling customer service. The group facilitated the website's operations and managed payments using virtual bank accounts.

Gurnia highlighted that the network's activities came to light during a cyber investigation, prompting police to conduct a raid on April 12. During the raid, authorities seized four laptops and five mobile phones. The suspects are now facing the possibility of up to nine years in prison if convicted.