Toddler in Makassar Abducted, Allegedly Used as Collateral for Online Arisan Debt

Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the abduction of a two-year-old child in Makassar. The toddler was reportedly taken to Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, and allegedly used as collateral for a problematic online arisan scheme.

‘Iya benar, we have secured the perpetrators, one male and two females,’ said Makassar Police Public Relations Head Kompol Wahiduddin to CNNIndonesia.com on Wednesday (29/7).

The three suspects, identified by the initials WI (male), NA, and NI (female), forcibly took the child from his home in Tamalate District, Makassar.

‘I don’t know exactly how many days he was taken, I will ask the investigators,’ he added.

The victim’s parents filed a report with the Makassar Police under report number LP/1639/VII/2026/SPKT/Polrestabes Makassar/Polda Sulsel, dated 5 July 2026, in the name of complainant Ryana Putri. Police conducted an investigation and arrested the suspects in Pangkep Regency on 14 July.

‘The motive was allegedly triggered by a problematic online arisan, the victim was taken to one of the suspect’s homes in Pangkep Regency,’ he explained.

According to Wahid, investigators have named all three as suspects. However, only one has been detained. ‘Three people have been named as suspects, but the two women have not been detained because they are heavily pregnant. That is a humanitarian consideration,’ he said.