Indonesian teen returns home after viral trafficking claims; police say he went voluntarily

BANDUNG, INDONESIA — Rizki Nurfadhilah, an 18-year-old from Bandung Regency, returned to Indonesia on 22 November 2025, amid intense public attention following claims that he had fallen victim to human trafficking. Indonesian authorities have since clarified that Rizki was not a victim of trafficking and had travelled to Cambodia of his own accord.

The case drew widespread public concern after a video of Rizki’s grandmother, Imas Siti Rohanah, went viral on social media.

In the video, she pleaded for government assistance to locate her grandson, who was believed to have disappeared after receiving what he thought was a legitimate football contract from a Facebook contact.

Case Sparked National Attention After Grandmother’s Viral Plea

Rizki, who lived in Citerup, Dayeuhkolot, left Bandung for Jakarta on 26 October 2025. According to his father, Dedi Solehudin, he told the family he had secured a one-year contract with a football club in Medan, Sumatra. The offer appeared credible at the time.

But on 29 October 2025, the family discovered that Rizki was no longer in Indonesia.

He sent a message saying he had been taken to Malaysia and then transported to Cambodia. In a text to his father, he wrote, “Dad, I was tricked,” adding that the recruiter had been found on Facebook.

Family members later told local media that Rizki claimed he had been forced to work in an online scam centre.

He reportedly said he had to collect 20 phone numbers of wealthy Chinese individuals daily and faced physical violence if he failed to meet targets. He also told his parents he was instructed to pose as a woman online to deceive victims.

Police: Rizki Travelled Willingly, Not a Human Trafficking Victim

Following examinations by various authorities, West Java Police concluded that Rizki was not a victim of human trafficking.

“Based on information we obtained from the Indonesian Embassy, Rizki is not a victim of TPPO, and this is not a TPPO case,” West Java Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan said on 20 November 2025.

Hendra stated that Rizki had lied to his family by claiming he was attending a football selection in Medan. The selection for PSMS Medan that he referred to never existed.

“He lied to his parents and to the public to gain sympathy,” Hendra said, adding that Rizki had knowingly applied for a job abroad through social media.
“He went there to work as a scammer. The harsh environment and high demands made him uncomfortable.”

BP3MI: Evidence Shows No Coercion in Recruitment Process

Neng Wepi, a Senior Employment Officer at the West Java branch of BP3MI, said assessments by the Indonesian Embassy indicated that Rizki was aware of his intended work before departing for Cambodia.

“He knew from the beginning that he would be working in Cambodia. However, he did not inform his family,” Neng said.

She added that preliminary findings showed Rizki did not experience physical coercion or threats during the recruitment and transit process through Medan, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The football selection narrative, she said, was used because he no longer wished to remain in the job.

“These assessments point to the conclusion that Rizki is not considered a TPPO victim,” she stated.

According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rizki had voluntarily departed the country and was fully aware of the job he would perform in Cambodia. The ministry also stated that he reported no physical abuse during his time inside the online scam syndicate in Sihanoukville.

Bandung Regent Confirms Findings

Bandung Regent Dadang Supriatna also confirmed that information received by regional authorities indicated Rizki was not a trafficking victim.

“After several processes and communication with multiple parties, accurate information shows that he was in Cambodia and is not categorized as a TPPO victim,” he said on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in Soreang.

He added that Rizki’s travel abroad was not the result of illegal recruitment but his own decision.
“This was truly his personal choice,” Dadang said.

Return to Indonesia and Ongoing Police Examination

Rizki arrived in Indonesia on 22 November 2025 and was picked up by the Manpower Office on Sunday night, according to the Bandung Regent.

Upon his return to Bandung, Rizki underwent questioning by the Bandung Police to clarify inconsistencies between his previous statements and verified information.

“He is currently being examined by Bandung Police, because the information he provided earlier does not match the actual conditions,” Dadang said.

As of now, Bandung Police have not released an official statement regarding the outcome of the examination.

“We are waiting for the decision from the Police Chief, which will be delivered through an official press release,” the Regent added.