KBRN, Jakarta: Following her involvement in a suspected mail-order bride case, Reni Rahmawati, a 23-year-old Indonesian citizen from Sukabumi, West Java, is now under the protection of the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Guangzhou, China.

“Reni is currently safe at our shelter and under KJRI Guangzhou’s protection until her case is resolved,” said Consul General Ben Perkasa Drajat, as quoted by antaranews.com on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Reni’s situation came to light after her mother, Emalia, reported to West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi on September 19, 2025, claiming her daughter was being held in China.

Reni had traveled to China on May 18, 2025, after accepting a job offer promising a monthly salary of IDR 15–20 million. However, just two days later, she was officially married to Tu Chao Cai, a Chinese businessman from Yongchun County, Fujian Province.

Authorities believe Reni was a victim of a mail-order bride scheme, where Indonesian women are matched with Chinese men through intermediaries in exchange for large sums of money. In this case, Tu Chao Cai reportedly paid IDR 400 million to an agent.

“The case is complex because the husband already paid a significant amount to the agent. We’ve advised him to proceed with divorce first before addressing the financial matter,” Ben explained.

After the case gained attention, KJRI Guangzhou coordinated with Fujian’s Public Security Bureau to locate Reni. Police visited her residence and confirmed her safety.

On October 10, 2025, Consul General Ben and consular staff met with Tu Chao Cai and local officials in Yongchun. During the meeting, Reni clearly expressed her desire to divorce and return to Indonesia. Tu Chao Cai and his family were urged to respect her decision and begin the legal process.

Regarding the financial claim of 205,000 RMB (approximately IDR 476.4 million), Ben clarified that Reni and her family never received the money. The claim should be directed at the agent. Reni herself only received IDR 11 million from an individual named Abdullah.

Tu Chao Cai claimed he was misled, stating that Reni showed no objection during the marriage and identified two individuals present at the religious ceremony in Indonesia as her parents. Reni later revealed she was coerced by the agent to make that claim and had signed the marriage documents under pressure.

The Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) in Quanzhou requested clarification from the Indonesian government, citing concerns over misleading media reports that described Reni as a victim of sexual slavery and domestic abuse. They also asked Reni’s family to stop spreading unverified information if she proceeds with the divorce.

In Indonesia, Reni’s family has filed a report with the West Java Police. Authorities require Reni’s direct testimony to fully investigate the case. A suspect has already been detained, and KJRI Guangzhou believes the investigation will help trace the flow of funds paid by Tu Chao Cai, potentially enabling restitution.

Consul General Ben reaffirmed KJRI’s commitment to protecting Indonesian citizens abroad, emphasizing that the consulate operates within the framework of national and international law. These principles are outlined in Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry Regulation No. 5/2018 on the Protection of Citizens Abroad.

Between January and October 2025, KJRI Guangzhou has handled over 10 cases involving Indonesian women lured to China under the promise of employment, only to be forced into marriage.

Anyone with information related to similar crimes is encouraged to contact the KJRI Guangzhou WhatsApp hotline at +86 185 2037 5005, the Directorate for Indonesian Citizen Protection, or the nearest police station. ***