A disturbing human trafficking network has been dismantled by Indonesian police, exposing a syndicate that trafficked at least 25 babies—some even before they were born—to overseas buyers, mostly in Singapore.
The investigation led to the arrest of 13 individuals this week in Pontianak and Tangerang. Authorities rescued six babies, all under a year old, who were being prepped for illegal transfer out of the country.
According to the West Java Police, the babies were initially placed in safe houses where immigration documents were secretly arranged before they were flown out to Singapore. The group operated with a sophisticated structure that involved recruiters, handlers, and individuals tasked with creating fake identity documents, including birth certificates and passports.
The traffickers specifically targeted pregnant women and mothers unwilling or unable to care for their babies. Social media platforms like Facebook served as the initial point of contact, before negotiations shifted to encrypted channels like WhatsApp. Some of the infants were reportedly claimed while still in the womb, with birth expenses covered by the syndicate. The parents received cash compensation once the babies were handed over.
Authorities said the babies were often kept in temporary care for up to three months after birth, then transferred to Jakarta or Pontianak for documentation before being sent abroad. Each infant fetched between 11 million and 16 million rupiah—equivalent to approximately $673 to $980.
So far, police have identified 12 male and 13 female babies sold by the group, primarily from districts across West Java. Officials believe the children were adopted internationally and may have undergone changes in nationality. Efforts are underway to identify those who received the babies in Singapore.
Police are working to verify the departure records, companions, and new guardians of each trafficked child. They are also investigating how many of the babies’ nationalities may have been illegally altered in the process. Indonesian authorities are seeking help from Interpol and Singaporean law enforcement to track down both the remaining traffickers and international buyers.
While the babies were not taken by force, some parents who had agreed to give them up later reported them as kidnapped when the promised payments were not delivered. Police suspect financial hardship as a major driving force behind the decisions of these parents, many of whom now face possible criminal charges under Indonesia’s laws on child protection and human trafficking.
The traffickers reportedly masked their operations behind fronts such as maternity homes and orphanage-style shelters. These places often posed as compassionate institutions, but in reality, facilitated illegal adoptions by offering money in exchange for newborns.
Indonesia’s strict abortion laws, which only allow termination under limited circumstances such as rape or medical emergencies, have left many vulnerable women with few options. Advocates say this environment has fueled the rise of underground baby markets, with traffickers preying on victims of domestic violence, abandonment, or economic despair.
According to the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the problem is escalating. In 2023 alone, the group documented 59 cases involving illegal child transfers disguised as adoptions—up from just 11 in 2020. The KPAI has seen cases emerge in several areas, including Depok, West Java, and Bali, where infants were being sold for amounts ranging from 11 million rupiah to over 26 million rupiah depending on their appearance and other attributes.
Authorities have vowed to crack down further on such syndicates and to pursue those involved both locally and internationally. Red notices are expected to be issued for suspects who remain at large.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
