Singapore assists Indonesia in probe into alleged baby trafficking ring linked to adoptions

Singapore authorities are assisting their Indonesian counterparts in investigations into allegations that babies were trafficked from Indonesia into Singapore for adoption by an organised syndicate operating in Indonesia.

In a joint statement issued on 9 January 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development said they were aware of the allegations and are reviewing the information in close cooperation with Indonesian authorities.

The statement said the Singapore Government is working closely with its Indonesian counterparts following earlier requests for assistance from Indonesian law enforcement agencies.

Requests for assistance and investigative cooperation

According to the ministries, the Indonesia National Police approached Singapore authorities in September 2025 to seek help in verifying information linked to the alleged trafficking activities.

Following that request, the Singapore Police Force and the Ministry of Social and Family Development were in contact with the Indonesia National Police and the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs.

Singapore agencies requested that Indonesian authorities share investigation findings and verify the circumstances surrounding children who had been brought into Singapore for adoption.

The Singapore Police Force has also been rendering assistance to Indonesian investigators as part of the ongoing inquiries.

Child trafficking described as serious crime

The ministries stressed that such investigations are critical, describing child trafficking as a serious crime that exploits young children’s vulnerabilities and violates their fundamental rights.

They added that trafficking separates children from their biological families for personal gain or criminal activities, with long-term consequences for the children’s well-being and development.

Engagement with adoptive families in Singapore

In Singapore, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority have been engaging affected adoptive parents to explain the situation and the ongoing investigative process.

As a result of the investigations, there have been delays in the processing of citizenship applications for some of the children involved.

The ministries acknowledged the anxiety this situation has caused adoptive parents and said authorities are working closely across agencies to resolve the cases as expeditiously as possible.

They said the welfare and interests of the children remain a priority throughout the process.

Families who require financial support during the interim period have been advised to approach a Social Service Office for assistance.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development said they will continue providing support to affected families while investigations proceed.

Indonesian investigations and reported syndicate activities

The Singapore statement followed earlier reports by Indonesian news outlets in September 2025 about a suspected baby trafficking ring operating out of West Java.

Those reports said Indonesian police were working with Singapore authorities to probe the alleged syndicate, which was believed to have activities spanning Bandung, Pontianak and Jakarta, as well as Singapore.

In September 2025, Indonesian authorities also sought assistance from the Singapore Police Force to verify information on three Singaporeans allegedly linked to the trafficking ring.

Brigadier-General Untung Widyatmoko, secretary of Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Indonesia, was quoted in media reports as saying Singapore police were prepared to assist in tracing the three individuals.

According to Indonesian police findings reported in July 2025, West Java police identified 22 suspects accused of trafficking at least 25 babies.

The reports said 15 of the babies were allegedly sent to Singapore under the guise of adoption.

Investigations reportedly found that each infant was sold for about S$20,000, covering delivery costs, infant care expenses and profits for those involved.

Previous cases and adoption safeguards

This is not the first time a baby smuggling ring to Singapore from Indonesia was reported.

In 2016, three suspects were arrested in Batam for allegedly planning to sell a three-month-old baby boy to Singapore for approximately US$8,000.

In Singapore, couples who wish to adopt must both be permanent residents or have at least one Singapore citizen, while sole applicants must be a citizen or PR.

To adopt a foreign child, applicants must first obtain a dependant’s pass to bring the child into Singapore, according to information from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

This pass allows the child to stay until the adoption is finalised and requires the child’s identity documents and notarised consent from birth parents or a legal guardian.

The notarised consent means the birth parents or guardian give up all parental rights once the adoption order is issued.

In some cases, adoptive parents may need to travel to the child’s home country to meet local requirements before the pass is granted and the adoption can proceed in Singapore’s Family Court.