Beware! Adoption Scams on TikTok and Facebook are Actually Baby Trafficking Syndicates
The public is urged to be wary of adoption offers on social media. The Directorate of Special Crimes at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) has just uncovered a baby trafficking syndicate operating under the guise of child adoption on the TikTok and Facebook platforms. In this operation, 12 people were named as suspects, and seven babies were rescued from this illegal practice.
“Investigators have successfully named 12 suspects, along with evidence, and rescued seven babies who were victims,” said Deputy Head of Bareskrim Polri, Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin, at the Bareskrim Polri Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (February 25).
The Director of Special Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Nurul Azizah, revealed that the perpetrators used social media to attract potential buyers and parents who intended to give up their children. This disguise as a legitimate adoption process was carried out to cover up the tracks of transactions that were actually acts of human trafficking.
The network has been operating since 2024. By utilizing the wide reach of TikTok and Facebook, they have successfully reaped fantastic profits from this illegal practice.
“Based on the suspects’ statements, this network has been carrying out illegal baby sales since 2024, with revenues in the hundreds of millions of rupiah,” said Nurul.
During the raid, police seized a number of crucial pieces of evidence, including 21 mobile phones used for transactions, 17 ATM cards, 74 related documents, and one bag of baby supplies.
Of the 12 suspects arrested, police divided their roles into two main groups: eight people acted as intermediaries (brokers), and the other four were biological parents who were willing to sell their own children.
Due to their actions, the suspects were charged with multiple articles, including the Child Protection Law and the Law on Eradication of Criminal Acts of Human Trafficking.
Regarding the condition of the victims, the seven babies who were successfully rescued are currently receiving special care. “Currently, they are still undergoing an assessment by the Ministry of Social Affairs,” added Nurul.
(Ant/P-4)
Shocking! The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) recorded 180 children as victims of trafficking since 2022. Bareskrim uncovered a social media syndicate with baby prices reaching IDR 80 million.
Throughout 2025, the National Network (Jarnas) Against Human Trafficking recorded at least 300 cases of human trafficking from various regions in Indonesia, with victims of all ages.
This human trafficking practice involves a long chain with increasing transaction values at each level.
A feeling of relief and happiness enveloped Dwi Nurmas, the father of Bilqis, a four-year-old child who was reported missing and eventually found safe.
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) appeals to all parties and the public to be vigilant regarding human trafficking, especially baby trafficking, which is promoted or uses marketing techniques on social media.
Shocking! The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) recorded 180 children as victims of trafficking since 2022. Bareskrim uncovered a social media syndicate with baby prices reaching IDR 80 million.
Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Pol. Eko Hadi Santoso, said that Miranti Afriana, the wife of AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, and Aipda Dianita Agustina, tested positive for narcotics.
The former Chief of Police of Bima, AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, was detained by Bareskrim after being dismissed from the Police Force. He is now a suspect in a drug possession case.
The administrator of the Pandji Pragiwaksono YouTube channel was examined by the Directorate of Special Cyber Crimes at Bareskrim Polri regarding alleged defamation of the Toraja tribe.
During the search of the suitcase, the police seized a number of pieces of evidence of narcotics and psychotropics.