Indonesian police intercepted three citizens recruited as mercenaries for Russia in a human trafficking scheme promoted on social media, ANTARA News reported on Thursday.
According to Senior Commissioner Yolanda Evalyn Sebayang from the National Police’s human trafficking unit, the victims were trapped by web-based promotions guaranteeing high compensation absent any medical checks, training, or formal agreements.
“The offer promised a joining bonus of US$35,000, a salary of US$3,000 per month, and free travel to Russia,” Yolanda told ANTARA News.
Investigators found that seven Indonesians were recruited via TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram using tourist visas. While four departed for Russia in September, police stopped the remaining three before departure.
Local police took two residents into custody—designated as IG and AS—who brought in approximately $1,600 and $1,515 respectively, with payouts including digital currency, by working alongside Russian associates to arrange visas, layover accommodations, and border control circumvention.
“The suspect sought candidates through social media and contacts, accommodated them in transit hotels near the airport, fabricated false statements to deceive immigration officials, and escorted them to the airport,” Yolanda added to ANTARA News.
Both suspects face charges under Indonesia’s anti-human trafficking and migrant worker protection laws.
A surprising fact emerged during the investigation, according to Website Resmi Polri reporting: two foreign nationals from Russia and Ukraine were suspected of collaborating to carry out the recruitment in Indonesia.
West Jakarta Sub-regional Metro Police Chief, Senior Superintendent Nasriadi, said that the collaboration between the two foreign nationals has drawn investigators’ attention, given the ongoing armed conflict between their home countries.
“There are two foreign perpetrators, a Russian citizen and a Ukrainian citizen. In their own countries, they are at war with each other, but in Indonesia, they collaborated to find Indonesian citizens to recruit as mercenaries there,” Nasriadi explained at a press conference at the Jakarta Regional Metro Police Headquarters on Wednesday.
Investigators have named six suspects in the case, comprising two foreign nationals and four Indonesian citizens who exploited economic conditions to find potential victims across Jakarta, Medan, Pemalang, Banyumas, and Bali, as reported by Website Resmi Polri.
Based on preliminary investigations, at least 23 Indonesian citizens were sent through this network, leading to severe casualties in conflict zones.
“Of those in this network, 23 have already departed to join the Russian army there. Based on family reports, one person has been confirmed dead and several others have suffered serious injuries from landmines,” said Nasriadi.
The joint team has also succeeded in preventing the departure of eight Indonesian citizens identified at the airport or through family reports, taking security measures to halt the departure process while coordination with relevant agencies continues.
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