Prosecutors say dozens of babies were trafficked, including to Singapore, through a cross-border syndicate

One of Indonesia’s biggest alleged baby trafficking cases in recent years has now moved into open court, with 19 defendants facing charges over claims that infants were sold across Indonesia and sent overseas, including to Singapore.

Charges Filed in Major Court Case
Indonesian prosecutors on April 7 charged 19 people accused of sending infants to cities across the country and abroad, including to Singapore. The case is being heard at Bandung District Court and is spread across nine indictments. At the center of the case is 70-year-old Lie Siu Luan, also known as Lily, whom investigators have described as the alleged ringleader. Prosecutors brought three charges against her, with the main charge being human trafficking carried out repeatedly and with others. If convicted under the primary charge, she could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to five billion rupiah, or approx. S$400,000.

How the Alleged Syndicate Worked
According to the indictments, the syndicate allegedly recruited babies from vulnerable families, then arranged transport, forged documents, and moved the infants through multiple cities before sending some overseas. Another indictment states that 34 babies were trafficked, with payments to birth parents ranging from nine million rupiah to 11 million rupiah for boys and 10 million rupiah to 15 million rupiah for girls, or about approx. S$720 to S$880 for boys and approx. S$800 to S$1,200 for girls. Prosecutors said fake birth certificates, identity cards, and family registers were used, and that “fake parents” were inserted into family records to help secure passports.

Singapore Link Deepens Scrutiny
The Singapore connection is one of the most serious aspects of the case. Prosecutors said Lie was approached by a Singaporean identified as Mr Petter, who remains at large, and allegedly offered $18,000 for each baby. Prosecutor Sukanda later told reporters that each baby sold in Singapore fetched between 200 million rupiah and 250 million rupiah, equal to approx. S$16,000 to approx. S$20,000. Investigators had previously said 15 babies were destined for Singapore, with infants moved from West Java to Jakarta, then to Pontianak for documentation, before being flown overseas. Police also alleged that three Singapore adoption agents were involved.

Defense Rejects the Accusations
Lie’s lawyer, Dr Sendi Sanjaya, rejected the prosecution’s claims and argued that the case did not involve baby abduction, but rather parental consent. He said Lie had acted in good faith and intended to place the babies with wealthier families, adding that the defense would present evidence during the trial. Other defense lawyers also stressed that their clients were entitled to legal protection and due process. The trial is expected to last between three and six months, with witness testimony set to begin on April 14.

Bigger Questions About Adoption and Vulnerability
The case has also exposed deeper structural issues in Indonesia, including financial pressure on mothers, weak civil registration systems, and strict adoption rules that may push some families into illegal arrangements. Analysts say those gaps can create space for traffickers to exploit vulnerable women and manipulate official records. With some babies allegedly “reserved” before birth and moved through a well-organized network, the trial is likely to become a major test of how Indonesia tackles child trafficking and transnational adoption abuse.

This case goes far beyond one criminal trial because it raises difficult questions about poverty, demand for infants, and the systems meant to protect children. For Indonesians, the proceedings may become a defining moment in efforts to close loopholes in adoption and civil registration. For Singaporeans, the allegations are especially significant because they show how cross-border demand can become part of an illicit trafficking chain, making closer legal and enforcement cooperation essential.

Sources: Straits Times (2026) , CNA (2026)

Keywords: Indonesia Baby Trafficking, Bandung Court, Singapore Adoption Case, Human Trafficking Charges, Lie Siu Luan, Infant Smuggling, West Java Police