China’s warnings about telecom fraud abroad contrast sharply with the growing involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal activities across Indonesia, from online gambling to smuggling and fraud. This trend not only strains China-Indonesia relations but also fuels local anti-China sentiment, highlighting the urgent need for stronger enforcement and bilateral cooperation to address transnational crime.

In early 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security issued a cautionary advisory urging citizens to heighten their vigilance against telecom-based fraud, warning of international criminal syndicates luring individuals with promises of lucrative jobs, free accommodation, meals, airfare, and more. CCTV, China’s state-run media, reported that these scams have entrenched themselves in Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar and Thailand.

The irony, however, lies in the fact that while China’s government warns its citizens abroad about fraud, Chinese nationals themselves have increasingly become involved in similar illicit activities overseas. These activities, ranging from online gambling and smuggling to telecom scams, are flourishing in countries like Indonesia. This growing involvement in criminal enterprises abroad starkly contrasts with the official message of caution and vigilance, posing a new challenge to China-Indonesia relations that threatens to overshadow the otherwise positive diplomatic ties between the two nations. 

Recent examples of Chinese nationals engaging in criminal activities 

Several high-profile cases from last year illustrate this growing trend. In January 2024, four Chinese nationals were deported after being found working illegally as therapists and karaoke guides in Jakarta while on tourist visas. In September, a Chinese national was implicated in illegal mining operations in West Kalimantan, causing IDR1.02 trillion in state losses and the loss of 774 kg of gold reserves. October saw the dismantling of an illegal online gambling syndicate run by Chinese nationals, which generated millions of dollars in illicit revenue across Southeast Asia, and was linked to forced labour and human trafficking. 

On 7 October, Chinese nationals were arrested for smuggling pearls from Lombok, Sulawesi, and Kupang, bypassing Indonesian customs regulations. A few days later, another Chinese national was arrested for facilitating illegal transactions for an online gambling operation under the guise of a legitimate business. 

Authorities also uncovered a fraud ring in Surabaya operated by nine Chinese nationals who used tourist visas to trick Chinese citizens into investing in fake schemes. On 29 October, a Chinese foreign worker, Yi jingsin, faced scrutiny for discrepancies in his immigration documentation while working at a gold mining company in West Kalimantan. The illegal activities continued into November when a Chinese national named Zhen Qingceng was apprehended in the Riau Islands for being in Indonesia without valid documentation.  

Implications 

Taken together, these various cases highlight a troubling pattern of transnational crime involving Chinese nationals in Indonesia. However, the issue seems missing in the bilateral discussions between China and Indonesia. 

While Jakarta and Beijing have made efforts to address transnational crime in recent years, the results appear insufficient in light of recurring incidents. In 2022, for example, Yasonna H. Laoly, Indonesia’s then-minister of Law and Human Rights, met with Lu Kang, China’s then-ambassador, to discuss cooperation on combating transnational crime. Similarly, in 2016, Wiranto, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, met with Ambassador Xie Feng to explore cyber-related collaboration. Despite these initiatives, the persistence of cybercrimes—such as online fraud and gambling—suggests that these measures have fallen short. 

To address this challenge, China and Indonesia must deepen their cooperation—but with a more forceful stance from Indonesia. This problem is not just a diplomatic issue; it’s a failure on the part of China to control the activities of its citizens abroad.  

In response, Indonesia must not only enhance its visa screening process, particularly in sensitive sectors like mining, but also take a firmer stand on ensuring that foreign nationals, especially from China, are abiding by the country’s laws. China, for its part, must implement sweeping reforms and policies that hold Chinese citizens accountable for illegal activities overseas. This should include stronger regulations, harsher penalties for illegal business practices, and closer cooperation with local law enforcement. 

Only through enhanced collaboration on immigration policies, business regulations, and a more robust commitment from China to curb criminal activity can the exploitation and abuse that have been growing in Southeast Asia be truly stopped. 

Ignoring this issue will only exacerbate the problem. Without decisive action, anti-China sentiment in Indonesia—an enduring issue since the Soeharto era—may intensify. Historically, this sentiment has fuelled unrest, including violent riots targeting the ethnic Chinese minority during economic crises. 

It is crucial to emphasise that the perpetrators of these crimes are primarily Chinese nationals from Mainland China, not Indonesia’s local Chinese community. Misunderstandings could incite unjust anger and violence against the latter, further straining inter-ethnic relations. Addressing these crimes transparently and effectively is essential to maintaining social harmony and fostering trust between the two nations. 

Dr Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat is a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies. His research focuses on China-Indonesia-Middle East relations. Yeta Purnama is a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies.

This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.