In early 2023, rumours regarding child kidnappings across Indonesia triggered a series of mass hysteria and vigilante actions across the country.
[1][8][9] The rumours multiplied fast through social media and caused mob rules and vigilante actions across the country.
[2] Despite this, there are several viral kidnapping cases reported since December 2022 according to Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection.
[11] In Ambon, Maluku early January 2023, a rumour spread across communities that four elementary students were almost duped and kidnapped.
[12] On 23 January, a woman in Tangerang Regency, Banten, escaped an attack after being falsely accused of kidnapping a child in a small neighbourhood.
[5] On 7 February, five traders who were travelling from Jambi to Lubuklinggau stopped on North Musi Rawas Regency, where they were accused to have kidnapped a child by a woman who later reported them to her relatives and the head of her village.
The head of the village made several announcements warning residents about the presence of a child kidnapper in the area through WhatsApp, which devolved into vigilante action against the traders.