inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Criminal Investigation Unit (PPA) and Human Trafficking (PPO) Directorate of the Indonesian National Police (INP) has uncovered an international network of human trafficking (TPPO) involving the recruitment of illegal migrant workers.
They were promised work in the United Arab Emirates, but instead were illegally sent to Myanmar and employed as crypto administrators.
The case began with the repatriation of an Indonesian citizen from Myanmar in March 2025. The investigation revealed that the victim was initially recruited by the perpetrators with the promise of work in the United Arab Emirates, but was then transferred to Thailand and finally taken to the Myawaddy region of Myanmar.
The victim was promised work as a crypto administrator with a salary of 26,000 Baht per month. However, the work and wages were not commensurate, and the victim was exploited.
"The perpetrators facilitated the entire process, from obtaining a passport and interviewing via WhatsApp video call to purchasing a plane ticket from Pangkal Pinang to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta. Even the perpetrators' accommodations to Myanmar were covered by the network," said the Director of PPA-PPO Criminal Investigation Unit, Brigadier General Nurul Azizah on Monday (7/14/2025).
The team successfully arrested suspect HR in Jakarta on March 20, 2025. HR played an active role in the recruitment and transportation of victims abroad. Investigations revealed the involvement of another suspect, IR, who has been on the Wanted List (DPO) since June 24, 2025.
"IR played a role in arranging accommodation, booking tickets, and transporting the victims to Myanmar. We have issued a DPO and distributed it to regional authorities for coercive measures," continued Nurul Azizah.
In the arrest, police confiscate several pieces of evidence, including six passports, two handphones, two bundles of bank statements, a laptop, and three bundles of passenger manifests.
HR will be immediately handed over to the Bangka District Attorney's Office, Bangka Belitung Province, on July 14, 2025, for further legal proceedings.
The police are also working with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to trace the flow of financial transactions involving the suspects to uncover the intellectual actors behind this network. Furthermore, cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and INP International Relations Division continues to dismantle the network overseas.
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