West Java Governor Assists in Repatriation of Woman Suspected Victim of Mail-Order Bride Scheme
Cirebon - West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has assured that the provincial government will facilitate the repatriation process for Vina, 27, a resident of Cirebon Regency, West Java, who is suspected to be a victim of the “mail-order bride” practice in China.
Dedi stated that he had communicated directly with the Cirebon Regency Government after receiving a report regarding a resident who allegedly experienced human trafficking disguised as marriage.
“Today there is a Cirebon resident who became a victim of human trafficking in China, and I have already communicated with them. They will be handled and retrieved,” Dedi said in a statement in Cirebon on Saturday evening.
The West Java provincial government, he said, will coordinate with various relevant parties to ensure the victim’s safety and the smooth repatriation process.
According to Dedi, the mail-order bride scheme often exploits promises of money or marriage with high bride prices to convince victims.
He also called on district and city governments and village officials to increase surveillance and public education, so that residents would not be easily tempted by offers of work or marriage abroad without official procedures.
“Many West Java women are easily convinced by promises of money and marriage with expensive bride prices,” he said with regret.
Meanwhile, Asep Maulana Hasanudin, legal representative of Vina’s family, stated that the victim, a resident of Gombang Village, Cirebon, faced several problems, including physical violence whilst in China.
He said the incident began when Vina worked in Jakarta and met a foreign national (WNA) from China, which then led to marriage plans.
“Initially the victim worked in Jakarta. Without her knowledge, she was photographed by a Chinese WNA, and from there communication began to develop,” he said.
He explained that the man and several others visited Vina’s family residence in Cirebon several times and handed over bride price in early August 2025.
After arriving in China, he said, Vina found conditions that did not match the initial information regarding the marriage.
He also stated that when the victim wanted to return to Indonesia, the family of her husband’s side demanded the marriage bride price be returned at a considerable amount.
Furthermore, he revealed that the victim allegedly was directed to sign several documents which were then recorded as marriage consent legally in China, making it difficult for her to return home.
The family had filed complaints with various relevant agencies and hoped for support and facilitation for the victim’s repatriation.