17-Year-Old in Jembrana Arrested for Pimping Underage Friends via WhatsApp
A 17-year-old girl, identified by the initials KMP, has been arrested in Jembrana Regency, Bali, for allegedly pimping out two of her underage friends through the messaging application WhatsApp. The Jembrana Police Chief, AKBP Cheery Sinta Maygrand Simamora, stated that the suspect acted as an intermediary, receiving a fee of Rp 200,000 per transaction. “The perpetrator and the two victims are all minors. The perpetrator acted as a liaison,” Cheery said during a press conference at the Jembrana Regency Auditorium on Friday (14/8/2026).
The case came to light following a police raid on a lodging establishment in the Jembrana District on Wednesday (22/7). The two victims, also 17 and 15 years old and still high school students, were identified by the initials CNTK and CTR. Investigations revealed that KMP, who had dropped out of school and was unemployed, had previously sold her own sexual services online for nearly a year. The incident began when KMP received a WhatsApp message from a man requesting three women. KMP responded that she only had two friends available, CNTK and CTR, who had previously confided in her about their financial difficulties.
KMP negotiated a price of Rp 1 million for CNTK and Rp 1.5 million for CTR. After the agreement was made, KMP and the two victims went to the designated lodging. KMP received the Rp 1 million payment for CNTK upon arrival, but the police intervened before the transaction involving CTR could be completed. “Based on information and reports from the public regarding rampant child prostitution, the Jembrana Police Criminal Investigation Unit team conducted an investigation and raid at the location,” Cheery explained.
Police secured the three teenagers and seized evidence including Rp 1 million in cash and three mobile phones. KMP has been named a child in conflict with the law (ABH) and is charged under Article 419 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, which addresses the facilitation of obscene acts or sexual intercourse with a minor. She faces a maximum prison sentence of seven years. Authorities confirmed that both the perpetrator and victims will receive psychological and legal assistance in accordance with procedures for handling cases involving minors. Cheery appealed to parents to be more vigilant about their children’s social circles and online activities. “We urge parents to increase supervision and communication with their children, especially regarding their daily interactions and social media use. Do not easily trust suspicious invitations and stop the exploitation of children for personal gain,” he concluded.