Medan. The Cyber Crime Investigation Directorate of the North Sumatra Regional Police uncovered the operational methods of a Cambodian online gambling network run in a structured manner from a Royal Condominium apartment in Medan City.
The perpetrators were found to carry out massive promotions via WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook to recruit players.
The Director explained that the working pattern of the perpetrators at the first and second crime scenes was essentially the same, namely forming teams with respective tasks to carry out promotions, communication, and convincing prospective players to join the online gambling site.
“These perpetrators have a team. They promote online gambling games through WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, then conduct WhatsApp blasts containing invitations for the public to join and play or place bets,” he said.
Furthermore, the suspects also created and disseminated attractive advertisements to entice the public to register. According to the explanation, the content they spread was designed to give the impression that online gambling could provide quick and easy profits.
“The content created aims to attract members or players to be interested in joining. So, there is a structured and repetitive promotion pattern,” he stated.
Once prospective players are interested, the perpetrators guide them through the registration process, from account registration, balance top-up or deposit, to selecting the type of game such as slots, casino, roulette, sports betting, and lottery.
He added that registered players are then directed to top up via a specific account or digital wallet to be able to play. If they win, the prize money is sent back to the designated account or bank account.
“The flow is almost the same as common online gambling practices. They promote, guide registration and deposit, then the player plays. If they win, funds are sent; if they lose, the deposit is immediately gone,” he explained.
The North Sumatra Police assess that this pattern shows that online gambling is no longer just an illegal game, but has been operated like an organized digital business activity targeting the public widely through social media.
Royal Condominium
“Royal Condominium” is not a widely recognized historical or cultural landmark. It is a common name for residential apartment buildings, particularly in Southeast Asia, and does not have a singular, notable history. Therefore, no specific historical or cultural summary can be provided for it as a distinct site.
Medan City
Medan is the capital and largest city of North Sumatra, Indonesia, historically established as a significant trading hub in the late 19th century due to the booming plantation industry for tobacco, rubber, and palm oil. This colonial-era prosperity is still visible in its architectural landmarks, such as the grand Maimun Palace and the Tjong A Fie Mansion. Today, it serves as the vibrant, multicultural gateway to Sumatra, known for its diverse cuisine and as the access point for visiting Lake Toba and the Orangutan sanctuaries.
North Sumatra Regional Police
The North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut) is the provincial police force of North Sumatra, Indonesia, responsible for law enforcement and security in the region. It was formally established as part of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) following the country’s independence, with its modern structure evolving to address the area’s unique security challenges, including maintaining order in a diverse province with a significant urban center like Medan.
Tribrata Hall
Tribrata Hall is a ceremonial and diplomatic venue located in Jakarta, Indonesia, primarily used for state functions by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was officially inaugurated in 2002 and is named after the “Tri Brata” (Three Vows), a philosophical concept representing the three core principles of Indonesian diplomacy. The modern building serves as a key location for hosting international summits, signing ceremonies, and diplomatic receptions.
Cambodia
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation best known for the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, the world’s largest religious monument and the heart of the powerful Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries. Its more recent history includes the devastating Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, but today it is a constitutional monarchy with a rich cultural heritage centered around Theravada Buddhism and ancient Hindu-influenced art and architecture.
WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a free, cross-platform messaging and voice-over-IP service founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former employees of Yahoo!. It revolutionized personal communication by allowing users to send texts, images, and make calls over the internet, and it was acquired by Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2014 for approximately $19 billion. While not a physical place, it has become a ubiquitous global digital cultural site, fundamentally changing how people connect and share information worldwide.
Instagram
Instagram is a free social media platform and mobile app launched in 2010, originally focused on sharing square-format photos with artistic filters. It rapidly evolved from a simple photo-sharing service into a major hub for visual communication, influencer culture, and digital marketing, and was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2012 for approximately $1 billion. Today, it is a central part of global internet culture, integrating features like Stories, Reels, and direct messaging to facilitate personal expression, community building, and commerce.
Facebook
Facebook is an American social media and technology company founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard University roommates. Originally a campus networking site called “TheFacebook,” it rapidly expanded globally, becoming a central platform for online social connection, communication, and digital advertising. Its history is marked by immense growth, shaping modern internet culture and facing significant scrutiny over data privacy and its societal impact.
