Indonesia police bust baby trafficking ring that bought newborns off Facebook and resold them in Bali

Indonesian police have dismantled a baby trafficking ring in Depok, West Java, making eight arrests in a case that saw newborns being bought from parents via Facebook, before being resold in Bali for a higher price.

The syndicate’s dealings were uncovered after police officers acted on a public tip-off, said Depok police chief Arya Perdana as he shared details on the case on Tuesday (Sep 3).

The syndicate secured the babies through Facebook, seeking out parents who wanted to sell their newborns. It was not stated when operations began.

“Our investigation found a scheme where babies were advertised on Facebook, with prices ranging from 10 million to 15 million rupiah (US$645 to US$968) each,” he said, as reported by CNN Indonesia.

The traffickers then transported the babies to Bali, where they were resold for as much as 45 million rupiah.

As part of the crackdown, authorities discovered two infants – a male and a female – intended for sale and transport to Bali, Mr Arya said in the Tuesday press conference. He did not specify when this took place.

Describing the syndicate as well-organised, he revealed that the group had already completed five transactions in Bali and even operated a pre-order system.

“They made arrangements with expectant parents before the babies were born, ensuring immediate transport to Bali right after birth,” he said. 

Mr Arya noted that the syndicate targeted foreign nationals as potential buyers.

“So if a foreigner needed a baby, they would sell to them,” he told local news outlet Kompas.

Eight people aged between 22 and 41 have been arrested. They face charges related to human trafficking and violations of child protection laws.

Among those nabbed were four parents selling their children, two individuals acting as scouts and buyers, one as an intermediary, and one broker managing the transactions.

Depok police detailed the suspects’ actions on Tuesday, providing only their initials and ages:

• RS (24) and AN (22) acted as scouts and transporters. They located and bought babies through Facebook, and delivered the newborns to MI in Tabanan, Bali. MI is not among the eight arrested.
• IM (41) financed the operation through RS and AN, sought buyers for the babies, and resold the newborns for up to 45 million rupiah.
• DA (27) sold a baby to RS for 10 million rupiah after the child was born out of wedlock.
• MD (32), DA’s partner, assisted in selling the baby to RS.
• SU (24) sold her baby to AN for 10 million rupiah because her husband refused to raise the child.
• DA (23), SU’s friend, helped during the birth and facilitated the transfer of the baby to AN, receiving a commission for her role in the transaction.
• RK (30), SU’s husband, was involved in the baby transaction due to his refusal to care for the child.

They remain in custody as legal proceedings continue. 

Under Indonesian law, human trafficking carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in jail and a fine of 600 million rupiah. Those who violate the child protection law face a maximum 15 years in jail and a fine of 300 million rupiah.

Police are expanding investigations on the suspicion that the syndicate’s activities might extend beyond Bali.

“What we have discovered so far is limited to Bali, but organised international crime can occur anywhere, and the perpetrators could be from anywhere,” pointed out Mr Arya.