105 Indonesians become human trafficking victims after job offer to Turkey

A human trafficking ring has defrauded 105 Indonesian citizens, luring them with promises of lucrative domestic worker jobs in Turkey but ultimately sending them to Libya under exploitative conditions. The victims were initially offered positions in Turkey with a monthly salary of approximately 7 million Indonesian Rupiah (around $430 USD).

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We are investigating a network that allegedly traffics people or Indonesian citizens abroad illegally.

The operation, uncovered by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection and Placement Service Center (BP3MI), involved a sophisticated recruitment process. Suspects allegedly provided victims with initial funds, ranging from 2.5 to 3 million Rupiah, to secure their family's approval. The perpetrators then facilitated essential travel documents, including health checks, passports, and visas, along with temporary accommodation, before escorting the victims to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for departure.

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With the lure of jobs as domestic assistants or ART in Turkey.

However, upon arrival, the victims discovered they were not headed to Turkey as promised. Instead, they were rerouted to Libya, where they were forced to work as domestic helpers without proper legal placement. Reports indicate severe exploitation, including withheld wages, physical abuse, inadequate food, retention of passports, and restricted freedom. Some victims were allegedly forced to work for two employers simultaneously, with shifts extending to 22 hours per day, and wages paid only every three months with no guarantee.

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During the journey, the suspects diverted them with the aim of going to Libya.

Several victims managed to escape and sought refuge and repatriation assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli. The investigation, based on a police report filed on July 3, 2026, has identified two primary suspects responsible for the recruitment and illegal transit. The network is believed to have facilitated the departure of these 105 individuals in several batches between August 2023 and May 2026, highlighting a significant human trafficking operation targeting vulnerable Indonesian workers.

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Victims are forced, exploited to work with two employers at once, with working hours of 22 hours per day and receiving wages every three months, and even then there is no certainty.