Police Name One Suspect In Case Hundreds Of Indonesian Citizens Become Victims Of Myanmar TIP

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police has named one suspect in the alleged criminal act of trafficking in persons (TPPO) against 699 Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were sent to Myawaddy, Myanmar.

Director of PPA and PPO Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Nurul Azizah said the suspect had the initials HR (27). From the examination, the suspect is believed to have acted as a recruiter.

"The suspect participated in the repatriation group and was strongly suspected of being a recruiter," Nurul told reporters, Friday, March 21.

In carrying out his actions, HR promised jobs to potential victims as customer services in Thailand. In fact, the suspect lures large salaries and luxury facilities.

Apparently, the victims were sent to the conflict area in Myanmar, precisely in Myawaddy, and were forced to work as online scam operators.

"In fact, they are made perpetrators of online fraud and do not get the rights as promised," he said.

The victims were recruited through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram. They are promised a salary of between Rp. 10 million to Rp. 15 million, as well as tickets and departure fees borne by recruiters.

However, upon arrival in Myanmar, victims are required to achieve the target in the form of collecting phone numbers for potential victims of online fraud. If they fail, they get verbal, physical, or salary cuts.

"We will continue to develop this case to ensnare intellectual actors and parties involved in sending migrant workers illegally. This is our serious concern because it involves protecting Indonesian citizens," said Nurul.

In this case, suspect HR was charged with Article 4 of Law Number 21 of 2007 concerning TIP, or Article 81 of Law Number 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers.

The perpetrators face a minimum prison sentence of 3 years and a maximum of 15 years and a fine of up to Rp600 million.