15-1-2025 (BADUNG) Balinese authorities have apprehended two Russian nationals who allegedly operated a vast online prostitution network spanning 129 countries, including multiple Indonesian cities.
The suspects, identified only as AK, 26, and MT, 31, were taken into custody on 10 January in Banjar Anyar Kelod, North Kuta District, following an intensive investigation by the Badung Police. The pair allegedly managed a sophisticated website offering sexual services from workers across the globe.
Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, Chief of Bali Police, revealed that AK served as the primary web administrator in Bali, overseeing the operation’s financial transactions and coordinating between sex workers and clients. “The female suspect managed all monetary distributions amongst the workers and her team, whilst maintaining communication with clients through their online platform,” Adityajaya explained.
During the raid, law enforcement officials seized substantial evidence, including numerous passports, 17 mobile phones, a laptop, and multiple banking cards. The confiscated items included ATM cards from various financial institutions, including Indonesian private banks, a foreign bank, and a Southeast Asian banking establishment. Additionally, police recovered 305 SIM cards, AK’s personal identification documents, and a Class C driving licence.
The operation’s scope was particularly notable for its reach across Indonesia, with activities documented in 12 major cities throughout the archipelago. “This was unquestionably an international criminal enterprise operating primarily in cyberspace,” stated Adityajaya. “The website was accessible globally, serving clients from numerous countries, including various Indonesian cities.”
The suspects, currently detained at Badung Police Headquarters, face serious charges under multiple statutes. They are being prosecuted under Article 45, Paragraph 1 of Law Number 1/2024, concerning Information and Electronic Transactions, which carries a maximum six-year prison sentence and potential fines up to 1 billion Indonesian Rupiah. Additional charges under Article 2 of Law Number 21/2007 regarding Human Trafficking Eradication could result in sentences ranging from three to 15 years’ imprisonment.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating international human trafficking networks that increasingly utilise digital platforms for their illegal operations. The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify potential victims and additional suspects in this far-reaching criminal enterprise.
