Police Arrest Interpol Fugitive Rifaldo, Cambodia Human Trafficking Suspect, in Bali

The International Relations Division (Hubinter) of the Indonesian National Police arrested Interpol fugitive Rifaldo Aquiono Pontoh at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali on Saturday (21 February).

Head of International Fugitives at the NCB Interpol Secretariat, Hubinter Division, Commissioner Ricky Purnama, said Rifaldo was a perpetrator of human trafficking (TPPO) and an international online scam syndicate operating in Cambodia.

The arrest was carried out by a joint team comprising the NCB Interpol Indonesia Secretariat, the General Crimes Directorate of Jakarta Metropolitan Police, and the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police, together with airport immigration officials.

“Rifaldo was a member of an international human trafficking network and online fraud operation in Cambodia,” he said in a written statement.

Ricky said Rifaldo exploited social media by advertising job vacancies with promises of high salaries to ensnare victims.

Those who were deceived were then forced to work without the promised pay. In addition, the victims had their passports confiscated and were subjected to torture by the syndicate.

“The conditions of coercion also required victims to pay extremely high fees in order to resign or return to Indonesia,” he said.

Ricky said Rifaldo’s arrest originated from transit information provided by the Manila NCB. On Friday (20 February), Rifaldo departed Cambodia for the Philippines and was due to continue his journey to Bali.

Armed with this intelligence, the joint team immediately headed to Bali and apprehended the suspect at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport upon his arrival in Indonesia.

“The individual is currently undergoing intensive examination,” he concluded.