Indonesian man sells baby to fuel gambling addiction

In Indonesia, a man in Tangerang reportedly sold his baby for approximately 830 euros to support his gambling habit. Responding to a Facebook ad seeking an infant, the man, known only as RA, had been struggling with financial difficulties and gambling addiction prior to the incident. His wife alerted the police after discovering their baby missing upon returning home.

Potential involvement in trafficking ring

The Indonesian police located the child and two adults in a rented house in Tangerang, suspecting them to be part of a human trafficking ring. If convicted, the suspects could face up to 15 years in prison and fines up to 36,000 euros.

Gambling and human trafficking links

• Cambodian casinos: Casinos in areas like Poipet are linked to crimes like human trafficking and forced prostitution, exploiting victims from neighboring countries under harsh conditions.
• Myanmar casinos: Border casinos serve as fronts for illegal activities such as drug and human trafficking, often controlled by military groups, resulting in grave crimes like murder and forced labor.
• Macau Triads: Macau’s association with Chinese Triads has led to reports of individuals being coerced into working for them after accumulating substantial gambling debts.

Southeast Asia’s human trafficking challenges

Southeast Asia faces significant human trafficking issues, with most victims originating from East Asia and the Pacific, primarily women and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. These victims endure sexual violence, domestic slavery, and forced labor, contributing to criminal organizations’ lucrative human trafficking trade.

Growing gambling addiction in Europe

The prevalence of gambling addiction is increasing in Europe, with approximately 1.3 million people in Norway showing signs of addiction. In the UK, around 1.65 million children reside in households affected by gambling problems, highlighting the escalating issue of gambling addiction worldwide.

Ongoing battle against human trafficking

Indonesia ranks 32nd on the Organized Crime Index for prevalent human trafficking, with countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, and Eritrea leading the statistics. The fight against human trafficking requires collaborative efforts to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.