inp.polri.go.id - Serang. Sub-Directorate IV of the Banten Regional Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate has successfully arrested two perpetrators, identified as AN (29) and TH (23), for human trafficking (TPPO) using the online app-based commercial sex worker scheme.
"Based on information from the public and an Investigation Task Order from the Banten Regional Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate in March 2026, we uncovered a practice of recruiting and harboring women who were then offered to men through the Michat application. The incident occurred on Monday, March 30, 2026, at approximately 12:30 a.m. at a boarding house in Cilegon City, Banten Province," said Head of Public Relations for the Banten Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Maruli Ahiles Hutapea, on Monday (3/30/2026).
Following up on the report, he said, the Unit II team from Sub-Directorate IV of the Criminal Investigation Directorate conducted an investigation and visited the location. During the inspection, investigators discovered several rooms used to serve customers.
The victims, he revealed, were offered rates ranging from IDR 200,000 to IDR 500,000 per service. Furthermore, the victims were promised an income of IDR 3,500,000 per week and IDR 100,000 per day for food, with the goal of serving at least 10 clients.
"The perpetrator carried out these acts with the aim of profiting himself by recruiting, accommodating, and offering the victims through the Michat app to serve lecherous men," explained Maruli.
He urged the public to take an active role in reporting any suspected human trafficking or other forms of exploitation. The public is encouraged to immediately report any evidence of human trafficking through the 110 Call Center.
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