Inp.polri.go.id - Surabaya. The police have arrested four suspects involved in human trafficking crimes (TPPO), specifically targeting Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI). The suspects have been identified as YS (40) from Tempurejo, Jember Regency; SK (41) from Srono, Banyuwangi; F (41) from Sukadana, Lampung; and RT (38) from Sunggal, Medan. Their role was to recruit and supply prospectus PMIs to be employed in Myanmar.
Operating under a deceitful scheme, the suspects enticed their victims with promises of high salaries and comfortable work behind a computer. However, the reality proved to be far from their expectations as the victims were coerced and threatened into working as scammers. Inspector General Toni Harmanto, the Chief of East Java Regional Police, highlighted that the successful uncovering of this case demonstrates the government's commitment to safeguarding PMIs.
"We are seriously addressing the TPPO issue," he stated during the press conference held at East Java Regional Police Headquarters on Monday evening (26/6/23).
Police Senior Superintendent Farman, the Director of Special Crimes of East Java Regional Police, provided the details on the case's progress. It came to the authorities' attention through a viral video on social media, where the victims made a plea to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo for assistance in returning from Myanmar to Indonesia. Responding swiftly, the Presidential Palace contacted the Indonesian National Police (INP) Headquarters' Intelligence and Security Affairs, who promptly engaged with the Chief of East Java Regional Police. This collaboration resulted in the successful arrest of the four suspects involved. Additionally, the seven victims who had sought refuge in Thailand were safely located and repatriated to Surabaya on Monday afternoon.
"The Chief of East Java Regional Police assigned us to uncover the case," the Director said.
The investigation unveiled that the suspects had been involved in these criminal activities from 2021 until June 2023. The case began when one of the suspects, F, was offered a job by a Chinese national named J in 2021. F's task was to recruit PMIs willing to be sent to Thailand for work as online game operators and company translators, with monthly salaries ranging from IDR 15 million to IDR 22 million.
F then contacted his associate, SK, in Banyuwangi to assist in finding PMIs. SK successfully enticed seven victims with the promise of high salaries. The victims even agreed to pay a sum of IDR 17 million to IDR 20 million for document processing as PMI and accommodation fees.
In order to facilitate the victims' journey to Thailand, YS was assigned the responsibility of handling passport and COVID-19-free certification procedures, while RT coordinated with immigration officials to ensure the victims would face no obstacles at Bangkok's airport.
In August 2022, SK managed to send eight PMIs from East Java to Thailand in two separate groups. However, upon arrival, they were coerced into engaging in scamming activities, primarily targeting fellow Indonesians. This became their occupation in Myanmar.
The actual jobs and salaries provided to the victims did not align with their initial expectations. Failure to meet their targets resulted in physical torture and threats of death. Unable to endure such conditions any longer, the victims recorded videos appealing to President Jokowi for repatriation.
"In reality, they were employed as scam agents," said the Director.
(my/hn/um)
