Depok Immigration Uncovers Human Trafficking Scheme Using 'Mail-Order Bride' Modus to China, Dowry Rp70 Million

The Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office in Depok, West Java, has uncovered a suspected human trafficking operation using a fake romance or ‘mail-order bride’ modus to China. To lure victims, the perpetrators offered an enticing dowry of up to Rp70 million.

Head of the Depok Immigration Office, Irvan Triansyah, said his team had foiled the scheme and detained two suspects, a married couple, during a passport application at the office on Tuesday, 25 August 2026. ‘We detained them while they were making a passport at the Depok Non-TPI Immigration Office on Tuesday afternoon,’ he said.

Following the discovery, the immigration office immediately coordinated with and handed over both suspects to the Depok Metro Police for further legal action and investigation. ‘We have handed over all documents and the suspected perpetrators along with the victim to the Depok Metro Police for a thorough investigation and to fully uncover the syndicate network behind this modus,’ Irvan said.

The case came to light when immigration officers became suspicious during an interview with a passport applicant. Intelligence officers found strong indications that the victim was to be sent to China under the pretext of marriage or a ‘mail-order bride’ arrangement. ‘Based on the investigation by the Depok Immigration Office, the victim was to be sent to China as a mail-order bride or an arranged marriage,’ Irvan explained.

He said the syndicate recruited victims by promising romance, marriage and a prosperous life abroad. ‘However, the network actually aimed to send victims to be exploited through fake marriages, forced labour and even prostitution,’ he said.

Officers noticed irregularities during the passport application interview. ‘The case was uncovered when officers conducted the passport application interview and found inconsistencies in the applicant’s statements,’ he said.

After in-depth interrogation, the illegal departure plan disguised as a romance was successfully thwarted before the victim could be sent abroad. ‘Based on the initial investigation, the married couple was tasked with recruiting prospective mail-order brides to receive compensation from parties in China. They lured each victim with a fantastic dowry of Rp70 million,’ he said.

Irvan urged the public to be very cautious of offers of marriage, work or invitations to go abroad with promises of fantastic sums of money, as they could lead to exploitation and human trafficking. ‘We urge the public not to be easily tempted by offers of marriage or work abroad that promise instant large salaries,’ Irvan concluded.