Indonesian Man Caught Selling Unwanted Babies on Instagram for $1,300
By Carl Samson
Indonesian police arrested a 29-year-old man who allegedly sold babies through an Instagram page that promises solutions for “someone’s disgrace.”
The man, identified only as “AP,” was among four people apprehended before a transaction took place in early September, Indonesian newspaper Kompas reported.
The other three suspects include a 22-year-old woman who attempted to sell her son, the buyer, and a broker.
The woman, identified as “LA,” was planning to sell her infant son for 15 million rupiah ($985).
LA separated from her husband and accumulated mounting debt before consulting with AP on Instagram.
The buyer who lived in Bali, had expressed interest in LA’s infant, and was willing to pay an additional 5 million rupiah ($330) to the broker as well as 2.5 million rupiah ($165) to AP.
AP, who reportedly worked as a volunteer counselor, claimed that he only administered four transactions, including the botched attempt.
The Instagram page, which roughly translates to “Family Welfare Institution,” remains active with 749 followers. It features photos of mothers who had sold their babies for up to 20 million rupiah ($1,315).
It is unclear who is currently running the Instagram page, which has posted 14 more photos since the bust on Sept. 3.
Screenshots of conversations were also available as proof of AP’s services.
“I am unmarried and seven months pregnant. My plan is to find someone who wants to adopt my child and provide me with accommodation until my pregnancy’s due date. I don’t want my family to find out,” one mother was quoted as saying.
According to police, more than 100 users contacted AP after the page went live, most of whom are unmarried mothers.
“Selling babies is a crime that cannot be tolerated. The syndicates have switched to using social media. It is cheap and has a wide reach,” an official from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia or KPAI), told the Straits Times.
Images via Instagram / @konsultasihatiprivat
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