Inp.polri.go.id - Bandung.  West Java Regional Police are investigating the motives of parents who sold their babies to a transnational trafficking network operating between Indonesia and Singapore. 

Authorities have detained 12 suspects and identified at least 24 infants trafficked.

“One victim said it was for economic reasons. We're tracing the origins of the babies and confirming parental involvement,” said West Java Police Director of Criminal Investigation Senior Commissioner Surawan on Wednesday (177/6/2025), as quote by antaranews.com.

The investigation began after a child abduction case in Bandung revealed a baby-selling ring. Babies, mostly 2–3 months old, were kept in Bandung, then sent to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, where fake family IDs and passports were prepared before departure to Singapore.

One suspect, identified AF, posed as an adoptive parent and contacted pregnant women via Facebook. After promising Rp 10 million (USD 600), AF gave just Rp 600,000 to cover delivery costs before taking the baby. 

AF later admitted to trafficking at least 25 babies since 2023.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)