Indonesian woman coming to work as maid sees others in revealing clothes in S'pore hotel, panics

She thought she was coming to Singapore to work as a maid.

But when the Indonesian woman was taken to a hotel where she saw women in revealing clothes going in and out of a room, she realised she had been a victim of human trafficking, according to Stomper R1.

Gina, 25, was recommended the job by a friend in Batam.

"She was told that she would be cleaning or entertaining clients as a maid and that an unknown third person would join her in Singapore on the Jan 26 to 'work' together," said the Stomper.

"Gina did not know that to work in Singapore, she would need a permit and was not aware that she was actually in deep trouble.

"As soon as she arrived in Singapore on Jan 25, she was directed to take a taxi straight to a hotel at Amber Road. Upon reaching the hotel, the unknown third person deleted their conversation on Telegram which meant that Gina would not be able to contact her.

"At first, Gina didn't think much of it and instead felt motivated to work hard as she has two children back in Batam to support.

"However, a few hours later, she realised that the few Indonesian women she met at the hotel kept going in and out of the room and their outfits were revealing.

"That was where she realised that she was being sold as a human trafficking victim.

"She panicked and was shocked to learn that all the girls there were also victims, but they continued working anyway because they needed the money."

Luckily for Gina, she had a friend in Singapore – Mr Ridhwan Lee, 28, whom she met when he went to Batam to make donations to an orphanage in 2018.

The Stomper continued: "While using his phone, he saw that Gina was on her way to Singapore through her WhatsApp status. She told him that she was offered a job.

"After a few hours, he started to recall his conversation with Gina and he realised that if she wanted to work here in Singapore, she would need a work permit and an agency.

"When Ridhwan contacted Gina, she rejected the call and instead contacted him through a WhatsApp message. She told Ridhwan that she did not know that such illegal and dangerous activities could happen in Singapore, an extremely developed country.

"Back in 2019, Ridhwan had a conversation with Gina and came up with an idea that if she ever finds herself in trouble, she would use the code word 'crocodile' indicating that she needs help. If she is safe, the code word 'horse' would be used."

Gina was using the word "crocodile" a few times now.

Ridhwan immediately contacted his friend Zulfakar, whom he met in prison. They started a company called R1 Paintings & Cleaning Services last year.

The Stomper said: "While waiting for Gina to send them their location, they decided between each other that they would not get the police involved first as they were both worried for her safety."

In a police report seen by Stomp: Ridhwan said: "We met up at hotel reception lobby. I saw only two girls in the lobby. No one was at the reception counter."

Gina took a ferry back to Batam the next day.

"Once Gina had gone home, Ridhwan made a police report as he feared there might be more victims," added the Stomper.

"I would very much like to share the story to create awareness."

In response to a Stomp query, the police confirmed that a report was lodged.