KUALA LUMPUR - Indonesian authorities have detained 13 Japanese men for their alleged involvement in scam operations, marking the first such crackdown involving Japanese nationals in the country.

Officials said the suspects were arrested on Monday in Bogor Regency, near Jakarta.

The arrests were announced during a news conference held on Wednesday, as reported by NHK.

The detainees, aged between their 20s and 40s, are believed to have rented three houses between February and May to carry out their activities.

Authorities said the men allegedly used video calls to deceive elderly Japanese victims.

They reportedly posed as employees of a major Japanese telecommunications company or as police officers.

Investigators seized items including outfits resembling Japanese police uniforms, smartphones and computers.

Officials have not disclosed the number of victims or the total financial losses involved.

The Japanese Embassy in Indonesia said it is verifying the details and will continue to respond appropriately.

Japanese nationals have recently been detained on fraud-related charges in other parts of Southeast Asia.

Last month, 15 Japanese suspects were reportedly arrested in Cambodia in a separate case.