BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – A joint Indonesian police team has arrested an Interpol Red Notice fugitive at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Saturday (Feb 21, 2026).
The suspect, identified as Rifaldo Aquino Pontoh, was apprehended by a team comprising personnel from the Indonesian National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol, the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya), Ngurah Rai Airport Police, and airport immigration officers.
Head of Transnational Crime at NCB Interpol Indonesia, Senior Commissioner Ricky Purnama, said Rifaldo is suspected of involvement in an international human trafficking network and online fraud operations based in Cambodia.
“Rifaldo is part of an international human trafficking and online fraud network operating in Cambodia,” Ricky stated on Saturday.
According to police, the arrest followed information received by NCB Interpol Indonesia from NCB Manila. On Friday (Feb 20, 2026), authorities were informed that Rifaldo was traveling from Cambodia to the Philippines and would continue his journey to Bali.
Upon receiving the alert, Indonesian authorities coordinated with Polda Metro Jaya, Ngurah Rai Airport Police, and immigration officials, leading to the arrest at the Bali airport.
Police allege that Rifaldo used social media platforms to advertise overseas job opportunities offering high salaries. However, victims reportedly faced severe exploitation upon arrival.
“In reality, the victims experienced serious abuse, including passport confiscation, unpaid wages, and coercive conditions requiring them to pay high fees to resign or return to Indonesia,” Ricky said.
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) are continuing further investigations to examine the broader transnational human trafficking and online fraud network linked to the suspect.
Ngurah Rai International Airport is one of Indonesia’s main international gateways, frequently used for transit between Southeast Asian countries.