ULOG: 23 "The irony of buying and selling babies through social media in Surabaya"

Img source : pixabay.com

The practice of baby trafficking through social media was revealed again. This time in the city of Surabaya. Ironically, the perpetrators use the guise of child-care foundations to 'line up their wares'.

Four perpetrators were successfully arrested by the Surabaya Police, including Alton Phinandita, a resident of Sawunggaling Sidoarjo; the mother who sells her baby, LA or Ica (22), a resident of Bulak Rukem Surabaya; inactive midwife Ni Ketut Sukawati (66) a resident of Badung, Bali; and baby buyers, Ni Nyoman Sirait (36), a resident of Badung Bali.

The arrest began with the results of an investigation by the Jatanras cyber team that conducted cyber patrols. Through an Instagram account, Alton offers consulting services and provides solutions, for example related to the problem of children born out of wedlock to couples who want to abort their womb.

Alton then had a solution to the victim so as not to abort the pregnancy because many were interested.

"From that account, finally there are enthusiasts who want to adopt children and the transaction is continued through WhatsApp," Sudamiran said at the release in Mapolrestabes Surabaya, Jalan Sikatan, Surabaya, Tuesday (10/09/2018).

To convince buyers, the perpetrator posted a testimonial photo made fictitiously. This Alton Account has 600 followers. Of the hundreds of followers, some of them were baby sellers and buyers.

"This Instagram account invites people not to abort their womb or children out of wedlock. In fact, abandoned children can be handed over to perpetrators to find foster parents. From development, we secure four perpetrators. One account owner, then seller "Baby or mother, there is a midwife who is involved as an intermediary between the buyer, and one buyer," he continued.

Sudamiran explained that such practices are included in criminal acts because they are not through legal channels. Because adoption of children should be taken through the court. Moreover, this transaction involves a certain amount of money.

"There is a transaction in it with a sum of money sent via transfer. This account is also not legal or illegal. It should be if the adoption is filed, the passing of a court. It cannot be arbitrary. It must be processed legally," Sudamiran said.

Added Kanit Jatanras Polrestabes Surabaya AKP Agung Widoyoko explained if the perpetrators also tried to eliminate the evidence. How, by making a letter of delivery of the baby complete with a seal.

"To eliminate the crime, the perpetrator makes a statement of the baby's surrender. There is a seal too. But it's the same, there are transactions there and this is illegal," said Agung.

This case was finally uncovered at the beginning of October and all the perpetrators must account for their actions.

"The four suspects are threatened by Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Protection of Children with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison," concluded Sudamiran.