Post by : Shakul

A major baby trafficking trial has begun in Bandung, West Java, where 19 individuals are accused of being part of a syndicate that allegedly trafficked at least 34 infants, including 10 who were sent to Singapore and sold for up to S$18,000 each. The defendants, comprising 18 women and one man, face serious charges under Indonesia’s human trafficking laws.

Prosecutors told the Bandung District Court that the trafficking operation took place between 2023 and 2025. The case reportedly began when a Singaporean individual approached one of the accused, Lie Siu Luan, also known as Lily, requesting assistance in sourcing babies for adoption. The syndicate allegedly arranged fake documents, including birth certificates and identity cards, to facilitate the illegal transfers.

According to investigators, the accused recruited vulnerable parents through social media and online adoption groups. In some cases, parents were paid between nine million and 15 million rupiah to give up their newborns. Prosecutors stated that the syndicate used forged identities and even arranged fake guardians to deceive authorities and potential adoptive families.

Authorities revealed that at least 10 babies were transported to Singapore by members of the syndicate posing as parents or guardians. The remaining infants were either sold within Indonesia or placed in orphanages if buyers were not found. If convicted, the accused face between three and 15 years in prison along with heavy fines. The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting concerns over poverty, weak awareness of legal adoption procedures, and the growing role of social media in facilitating cross-border trafficking networks.

#Asia News #Indonesia News #Global #Crime