Police Uncover Child Exploitation Ring at 'Blue Tent' Karaoke Cafes in Bekasi
Polda Metro Jaya has uncovered a case of human trafficking (TPPO) in the Cibitung area of Bekasi Regency, West Java. The trafficking was concealed within karaoke cafés known collectively as ‘Tenda Biru’ (Blue Tent).
The Directorate of Women and Child Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking (Ditres PPA-PPO) of Polda Metro Jaya discovered the suspected TPPO case in Cibitung, Bekasi. The café was using children as commercial sex workers (PSK).
“Through cyber patrol tracing, we identified one area with similar indications, namely in Cibitung, which we refer to as the Tenda Biru red-light area,” said the Director of PPA-PPO at Polda Metro Jaya, Commissioner Rita Wulandari Wibowo, at a press conference on Wednesday (8 July 2026).
In handling the case, police involved the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the DKI Jakarta UPT PPA, as well as the Social Services Agencies (Dinsos) of DKI Jakarta and West Java. Rita said several minors were found at the Tenda Biru location, and police immediately evacuated them to a safe place.
She added that the victims were employed as ladies companions (LC) at the karaoke café. Police took action against four cafés in Cibitung strongly suspected of practising human trafficking.
“The perpetrators exploited children by turning them into commercial sex workers, serving as companions for male guests at several cafés. There are several cafés within the red-light area, and we found four of them where children were being exploited,” she said.
“Besides providing companionship, they were also obliged to accompany guests in consuming alcoholic drinks. There were karaoke activities, singing, and it continued to the point of sexual intercourse,” Rita added.
12 People Named Suspects
Police secured 37 people from the location, eight of whom were children. Following questioning, 12 people were formally named suspects.
“We have named 12 suspects who acted as pimps (mucikari), as well as marketing staff who also doubled as workers there,” she said.
The suspects were charged under Article 76I in conjunction with Article 88 of the Child Protection Law, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to Rp 200 million. In addition, they were charged under Article 12 in conjunction with Article 15 letters f and g of Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (TPKS), carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years, as well as Articles 419, 420, 421, 422 and 455 of the Criminal Code.
It Began with a Foreign Paedophile Case
The case originated when police investigated information about a foreign national involved in child prostitution. From that information, police conducted profiling.
“There was a foreign national who also posted indications of child trafficking. So we carried out profiling,” said Commissioner Rita Wulandari Wibowo.
Police delved into the circulating information through Sub-Directorate 2, which handles violence against children and cyber matters, and Sub-Directorate 3, which handles human trafficking (TPPO). However, police found no evidence of foreign national involvement in child prostitution in Jakarta. The investigation was then directed towards the Cibitung area of Bekasi.
“The information mentioned turned out not to be entirely accurate. Initially the location was said to be in West Jakarta’s jurisdiction, in the Blok M area, but upon investigation nothing was found there,” said Rita.
“From all of that, through cyber patrol tracing, we identified one area with similar indications, namely Cibitung, which we call the Tenda Biru red-light area,” she added.
Ditres PPA-PPO continues to investigate information about the foreign national suspected of involvement in child prostitution, coordinating with the Cyber Directorate of Polda Metro Jaya and the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim). Rita emphasised that her side would also coordinate with representatives of the Japanese government in Indonesia if evidence of its citizen’s involvement were found.
“If in the course of the investigation we do find indications involving the aforementioned foreign national, we will certainly coordinate with the Japanese Ambassador in Indonesia. And most importantly, we will coordinate with the Police International Relations Division to locate them,” she explained.
Rita explained that in a previous check at Lokasari, West Jakarta, investigators found that all the commercial sex workers employed there were adults. However, police stressed they would clean up thoroughly and investigate fully if new facts emerged regarding child exploitation.
“Just as when we took action in the Lokasari area, the content stated that they were children. In fact, their physiques did look childlike, but when we identified their ages based on their identity cards, they were adults. The same applies to Cibitung. If we do find indications of children being used in sexual activities, we will certainly expand the investigation based on follow-up findings,” Rita elaborated.
The Suspects’ Roles
Rita further revealed that the suspects each had different roles at the four cafés dismantled by police. However, they also carried out human trafficking against the children in between their working hours.
“They had multiple roles. One was marketing, then also worked there, and was the cashier too. So it was indeed a double burden for them. For example, someone was employed as a cashier but also doubled as marketing. If they could make sales, they got a bonus,” she explained.
Based on questioning, the children were trapped into working at the cafés due to economic hardship. The majority of the victims initially did not know they would become commercial sex workers.
“Some were indeed brought there deliberately, or came on their own knowing it was an entertainment area. Some initially thought they would only accompany guests, without it going as far as intercourse. However, there were also those who eventually understood the consequences, including sexual intercourse,” Rita concluded.