 "Indonesian Immigration officers escort detainees at the Immigration office in Jakarta on November 18, 2025 during a press conference regarding the arrest of Chinese nationals, including a suspect wanted in China over the default of a $138 million corporate loan, and 27 scammers who used Indonesian territory for their operations in Batam, Riau Islands province, and Bekasi, West Java province. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)")
Indonesian authorities announced on Tuesday they have detained a Chinese real-estate executive who was internationally wanted in connection with a corporate loan default totalling nearly $138 million.
The 58-year-old man, identified only by the initials WZ, was arrested on Thursday on the Indonesian island of Batam following a request from the Chinese embassy in Jakarta.
According to Agus Waluyo, Indonesia’s immigration intelligence director who spoke to AFP, WZ is the former president and director of a Chinese real estate firm that failed to repay 980 million yuan (approximately $137.8 million) in loans.
After a police investigation identified him as a financial crime suspect, WZ reportedly fled China, prompting a wanted notice.
Indonesian officials confirmed that WZ had been moving between several Asian countries since August before entering Indonesia on October 7. He is currently being held for further investigation by the Directorate General of Immigration.
The arrest comes amid a prolonged crisis in China’s property sector, where excessive debt has led to the collapse or near-collapse of major players developers like Evergrande, shaking the Chinese economy.