Published: 29 January 2026 | Source: South China Morning Post
Singapore – Recent regional reporting has drawn attention to growing concerns over alleged baby trafficking networks operating between Indonesia and Singapore, prompting renewed scrutiny of cross-border adoption processes and child protection safeguards.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, authorities are investigating how organised syndicates may have exploited vulnerable parents and weaknesses in adoption systems to traffic infants across borders for illegal adoption or sale.
While Singapore maintains one of the strictest adoption frameworks in the region, the report underscores how transnational criminal networks can operate across jurisdictions, making enforcement and verification more complex.
In response to these developments, Singapore and Indonesian authorities have continued to cooperate in ongoing investigations, with a focus on safeguarding affected children and ensuring adoptive families are properly supported.
Senior lawyer, Sandra Ong of Gloria James-Civetta & Co. emphasised that the welfare of the child must remain the central consideration in all adoption matters, particularly those involving international elements.
She noted that Singapore’s adoption laws impose rigorous requirements on documentation, consent verification, and agency conduct, precisely to prevent exploitation and unlawful practices. These safeguards, she explained, are essential in ensuring that adoptions are conducted ethically, transparently, and in the best interests of the child.
Ms Ong also highlighted that cross-border adoptions carry heightened legal risks and require careful due diligence. Adoptive parents must ensure compliance not only with Singapore law, but also with the laws of the child’s country of origin.
Engaging experienced legal counsel early in the process can help families navigate these complexities, identify red flags, and avoid becoming unintentionally entangled in unlawful arrangements.
Original coverage: “MSF alerted by adoption agent in 2024 about suspicious baby ‘supply’ from Indonesia to S’pore”, South China Morning Post.
Source: SCMP
