An Indonesian man has been arrested after selling his child to fund his online gambling addiction.
The 36-year-old father, identified only as RA, sold his 11-month-old baby for just 15 million Indonesian Rupiah ($958), which he quickly deposited into his online accounts.
The child’s mother and wife of RA returned to the family home in Tangerang, West Jakarta, unable to find her son, and immediately filed a police report.
Upon being questioned by detectives, RA admitted that he had sold the child to fund his gambling habit. The buyers, identified as HK and MO, were also arrested on suspicion of being involved in human trafficking.
saw on Facebook that the buyers were looking to purchase a toddler so he sent them a message”
Tangerang City Metro Police Chief Zain Dwi Nugroho said: “RA saw on Facebook that the buyers were looking to purchase a toddler so he sent them a message and arranged the purchase.”
The news was condemned by the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), which deals with human trafficking cases of children in the country. The incident came weeks after local authorities busted a major trafficking ring supplying babies to foreigners.
“It is worrying that he (RA) is using his financial situation to engage in activities that are being eradicated by the state and with children being sold, he is also violating basic human rights,” said a statement issued by KPAI Chief Ai Maryati.