- The baby sold for the equivalent of just £730.
- The father said he sold the child to relieve debts
- But he immediately invested the money in online gambling sites.
A man has been arrested in Indonesia after he allegedly sold his 11-month-old baby on Facebook behind his wife’s back to fund his online gambling addiction.
The father, identified only as RA, 36, received just 15 million Indonesian rupees, the equivalent of around £730, which he then invested in his online gambling accounts.
RA was captured after his wife, the child’s biological mother, returned to their home in Tangerang, west Jakarta, and could not find their baby.
Tangerang city metropolitan police chief Zain Dwi Nugroho told local media: “She pressured RA to reveal the whereabouts of her son until he finally confessed that he had sold the newborn.”
“Then he brought it to make a report at the Tangerang City Police Department.”
After being questioned by detectives, RA admitted to selling her baby to reduce her debts.
The father, identified only as RA, 36, received just 15 million Indonesian rupees, the equivalent of about £730, for his baby (File Image)
But once he had the money, he said he impulsively used it online.
The buyers, identified only as HK and MO, were also arrested on suspicion of involvement in a human trafficking ring, an offense that carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of 600 million rupees (£29,300). in Indonesia.
HK and MO are being investigated for suspected involvement in a broader human trafficking ring, although no details are currently known.
Indonesia’s Child Protection Commission condemned the shocking incident.
Its boss, Ai Maryati, told local media: “It is worrying that (RA) is using his financial situation to engage in activities that are being eradicated by the state and with the sale of children, he is also violating basic human rights.” .
It comes just weeks after police uncovered a baby trafficking ring in Depok, a city south of Jakarta, where they arrested eight people involved in the online child trade.
Arya Perdan, the city’s top police officer, said children were advertised on Facebook and sold at prices ranging from Between 10 and 15 million Indonesian Rupiahs (between £490 and £740).
The children were then taken to Bali where they were resold for up to 45 million rupees (£2,195).
Nearly 60% of all human trafficking victims worldwide come from the Asia Pacific region, with South and Southeast Asia considered key hubs for supplying victims.