Cirebon Woman Becomes Victim of Mail-Order Bride Scheme in China, Appeals to West Java Governor for Help

A video confession from a woman from Cirebon Regency claiming to be a victim of a mail-order bride scheme has gone viral on social media. The victim, Vina, has appealed to West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi for assistance in returning to her homeland.

In the 59-second video, a woman identifying herself as Vina, a resident of Gombang Village, Plumbon District, Cirebon Regency, says she is currently in China. She stated: “Your Excellency West Java Governor Pak Dedi Mulyadi. My name is Vina from Cirebon, and I am currently in China. Through this video, I want to inform you of my condition—I have become a victim of a mail-order bride scheme perpetrated by fellow Indonesian nationals.”

Vina alleged that two Indonesian acquaintances have confiscated and retained all her documents, including her passport. She also claims to have experienced physical violence when she refuses to comply with their demands. She pleaded: “I earnestly request your help, Pak Dedi, so that I can return to my homeland. I want to go home. Please help me.”

According to Asep Maulana Hasanuddin, legal counsel for Vina’s family from YLBH Garuda Sakti Cirebon, before allegedly becoming a victim of human trafficking through the mail-order bride scheme to China, Vina was working at a restaurant in the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) area, North Jakarta. Unknown to her, she was frequently photographed by a Chinese national who subsequently approached her.

Vina was then offered the opportunity to have a Chinese boyfriend. Although she initially dismissed the offer, she eventually fell into the trap of the matchmaking agent network. Several individuals named Liu, Nisa, Herman, Susi, and Amey are alleged to have been involved in facilitating introductions and arranging Vina’s departure overseas.

To convince Vina’s family and village officials, the intermediaries presented a handwritten statement claiming that a Chinese national named Wang Jun, who would marry Vina, had converted to Islam. They also promised a bridewealth of 100 million rupiah and assured an Islamic marriage ceremony. Additionally, they pledged monthly remittances to Vina’s family, which ultimately persuaded Vina to accept the arrangement.