The Polda Metro Jaya’s Criminal Investigation Directorate held a press conference regarding the human trafficking case involving the unlawful departure of Prospective Indonesian Migrant Workers (CPMI) through the lure of Turkey, when in fact they were headed to Libya.
progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – A fraudulent scheme involving the illegal departure of prospective Indonesian migrant workers (CPMI) to Turkey, when in fact they were headed to Libya, has been uncovered by the Polda Metro Jaya’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum). This case falls under the category of Human Trafficking (TPPO).
In this case, Ditreskrimum investigators have named two individuals, Risnawati and Dede Yousoef, as suspects. They are suspected of being involved in funding the victims’ departure.
Suspect Risnawati is suspected of controlling the process, providing funds for administrative matters, and connecting the victims with agents in Libya.
Suspect Dede Yousoef is suspected of being responsible for finding prospective migrant workers, processing departure documents, providing temporary shelter, and transporting the victims to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The Head of Public Relations for the Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol Bhudi Hermanto stated during a press conference at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters on Friday, July 24, 2026, that this disclosure also serves as a form of empathy for the victims who allegedly experienced exploitation while working in Libya.
“The Polda Metro Jaya conveys its understanding and empathy to the victims who allegedly experienced exploitation while working in Libya. We ensure that the case is handled not only through law enforcement, but also by providing protection, assistance, and rehabilitation to the victims,” said Kombes Pol Bhudi.
He also explained, that the disclosure of this case is the result of collaboration between the Polda Metro Jaya’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate and the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI).
The police will continue to coordinate with KP2MI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Indonesian representatives abroad to ensure the protection of the rights of Indonesian citizens who are victims.
On the same occasion, the Director of Criminal Investigation of the Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol Iman Imanuddin explained, that the case began with alleged illegal fraud of CPMI with the lure of work as a domestic assistant in Turkey with a salary of around Rp7 million per month.
However, unfortunately, the victims were sent to Libya, located in Africa, without following official procedures.
“The victims are suspected of experiencing various forms of exploitation, including not receiving their promised salaries, experiencing physical and psychological violence, having their passports confiscated, being denied adequate food, and being deprived of their freedom,” said Kombes Pol Iman.
Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol Bhudi Hermanto and Director of Criminal Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol Iman Imanuddin.
Based on the investigation, this network of migrant workers is suspected of sending at least 105 migrant workers abroad between 2023 and 2026. Specifically, 35 people departed from August 2023 to June 2024, 50 from July 2024 to March 2025, and 20 from April 2025 to May 2026.
Investigators also revealed suspected financial flows within the network. The investigation uncovered transactions from the account of suspect Risnawati to suspect Dede Yousoef during the period 2025–2026 totaling approximately Rp1,7 billion.
Furthermore, there were transactions from another party with the initials FH to Risnawati during the 2024–2026 period totaling approximately Rp9,95 billion, excluding international travel costs.
In addition to experiencing material losses in the form of unpaid wages totaling approximately Rp60 million, the victims are also suspected of experiencing trauma due to violence, threats, deprivation of liberty, and inhumane treatment while working in Libya.
A number of victims even reported running away and requested protection from the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli to be repatriated to Indonesia.
During the investigation, the police have questioned 25 witnesses and two suspects. They have also confiscated several pieces of evidence, including travel documents, passports, airline tickets, medical examination results, and documents related to the victims’ preservation and departure processes.
Investigators have also mapped the overseas network, traced the flow of funds, and coordinated with relevant ministries and institutions to develop the case.
The two suspects in this case are charged under Article 455 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code and Article 4 in conjunction with Article 10 of Law Number 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of the Crime of Human Trafficking. The suspects face a minimum sentence of three years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment, along with a fine in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, Kombes Pol Singgih Himawan, a representative of the KP2MI, who is also the Head of the West Java Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI), expressed his appreciation for the swift action taken by the Polda Metro Jaya in solving the case.
“We, from the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, highly appreciate the steps taken by the Polri, particularly the Polda Metro Jaya, in uncovering this ongoing transnational human trafficking crime,” said Kombes Pol Singgih.
The Polda Metro Jaya have also emphasized that they will continue to expand their investigation to identify other parties suspected of involvement in the trafficking network, including agents abroad, while also ensuring the protection, rescue, and restoration of the victims’ rights.
Writer/Editor: Bembo
