Major Bust Unveils International Baby Trafficking Syndicate in Indonesia

Fri Oct 17 2025 08:43:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Indonesian authorities reveal a shocking baby trafficking network that has allegedly sold over 25 infants to buyers in Singapore, leading to multiple arrests and ongoing investigations.

In a significant operation, Indonesian police have dismantled a baby trafficking ring accused of selling at least 25 infants to Singapore. The syndicate lured parents through social media, ultimately leading to agreements for sales that exploit vulnerable situations. Arrests have been made, and six children have been rescued.

Indonesian police have successfully exposed an international baby trafficking syndicate, allegedly responsible for selling more than 25 infants to buyers in Singapore since the beginning of 2023. This week's crackdown involved 13 arrests across the Indonesian cities of Pontianak and Tangerang, alongside the rescue of six babies, all around one year old, who were on the verge of being trafficked.

According to Surawan, the director of general criminal investigation for West Java Police, the traffickers first housed the babies in Pontianak, preparing their immigration documentation before their planned transfer to Singapore. The police operation follows reports of how the syndicate operated, targeting expectant mothers and parents via social media platforms, including Facebook. They would later shift discussions to private messaging services like WhatsApp.

"Some babies were even reserved while still in the womb," stated Surawan, highlighting the disturbing nature of the syndicate’s practices. After birth, the traffickers compensated the mothers and facilitated the transportation of the infants, generating profits between 11 million to 16 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately $673 to $1,020) for each child sold.

The investigation has revealed that at least a dozen male and 13 female infants were sold, with their origins predominantly traced to various districts in West Java. Police officials have emphasized their intention to track down the buyers in Singapore, stating, "We will cross-check the data with the babies who departed, so we know exactly who departed, who accompanied them, when they departed, and who the adopters there are."

Surawan further clarified that so far, no evidence of kidnapping has surfaced; involved parents may have willingly entered contracts to sell their children, often due to financial distress. However, if culpability is established, these parents could face serious charges related to child protection and human trafficking.

The Indonesian police are seeking assistance from Interpol and Singaporean law enforcement to apprehend remaining syndicate members and their buyers. Surawan noted their strategy includes issuing a red notice to facilitate arrests.

Child trafficking remains a pressing concern, particularly as syndicates exploit vulnerable women in desperate circumstances, such as unwanted pregnancies or domestic abandonment. Ai Rahmayanti of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) remarked that these networks often masquerade as supportive institutions, offering seemingly compassionate options that ultimately lead to illegal custody transfers.

Despite the lack of official statistics on child trafficking in Indonesia, KPAI’s data shows an emerging trend of increased trafficking cases, with recorded incidents rising sharply in recent years. As the authorities intensify their efforts to combat this growing threat, the investigation into this syndicate continues to unfold.