Press Release: Fake Immigration Stamp to Smuggle People, ODG Will Be Tried Immediately

Aug 2, 2023

Jakarta (25/7) – The Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) investigated a female with the initials ODG (37) on suspicion of attempted people smuggling, as referred to in Article 120 paragraph (2) of Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration Jo. Article 53 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code or Article 121 letter a Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration. ODG could face imprisonment for a minimum of five years, a maximum of 15 years, a fine of IDR 500,000,000.00 (five hundred million rupiah) and a maximum of IDR 1,500,000,000.00 (one billion five hundred million rupiah). The investigation is complete, and the case will soon be transferred to court.

The story started with the finding of immigration stamps suspected of being fake on several Indonesian citizens' passports who applied for visas at the United States Embassy. Suspicions arose because of international travel irregularities that were carried out during international travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Embassy immediately coordinated with the DGI, who conducted a pre-investigation measure.

At this stage, The DGI examines the potential victims. It conducts a forensic examination of the immigration stamp on each person's passport. When interviewed, they separately admitted that they were recruited by ODG, whom they knew through Facebook and on behalf of PT. MCP.

"ODG had disappeared so that we couldn't inquire. Finally, ODG was prevented from going abroad through Decree Number IMI.5-1307.GR.03.02 year 2022 dated 03 November 2022," explained the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim.

Silmy further stated that this step proved effective because, on 22 April 2023, ODG was found by Immigration Officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport when he was about to leave for Malaysia.

After conducting an investigation and obtaining sufficient evidence, on 03 May 2023, the Immigration Investigators named ODG a suspect. They detained her at the Pondok Bambu State Detention Center.

ODG offers United States Visa processing services via WhatsApp/Facebook/Job Seekers Group. Victims were asked to send a sum of Rp11,500,000 to 22,000,000 to an account in the name of ODG or PT. MCP and asked to send their passport to ODG. The passport will later be affixed with immigration stamps from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. The purpose of affixing a stamp is to improve the qualifications of Indonesian citizens holding passports, making obtaining a United States visa easier. Once obtained, the visa can be used to enter and work in the United States, non-procedurally.

Investigators have secured some evidence. Among them were five Indonesian passports belonging to the potential victim, one passport belonging to the suspect, and one flash driveflashdisk) owned by the suspect. BCA checking account in the name of ODG and PT. MCP, as well as a PT. MCP.

"Yesterday (24 July 2023), the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office issued Letter P-21, meaning that the case files are complete, so we will immediately submit the suspects and evidence for further legal proceedings," concluded Silmy.

Last updated 17 January 2024