A mum who arrived home and was unable to find her 11-month-old baby discovered to her horror that her husband had allegedly sold the tot on social media.

The father of the youngster, identified only as RA, was arrested after his wife caught him having allegedly sold their child on Facebook behind her back. The gambling addicted 36-year-old reportedly received just 15million Indonesian Rupiah, equivalent to around £730, which he sank back into his betting accounts.

His unnamed wife had returned to the family home in Tangerang, West Jakarta, and quickly pressed her husband on the whereabouts of their baby, local police said. Zain Dwi Nugroho, the Tangerang City Metro Police Chief, said she then turned him into the police, who interrogate him into confession.

He said: “She pressed RA to share the whereabouts of their child until he eventually confessed that he had sold the newborn. She then brought him to make a report at the Tangerang City Police Department.” The Daily Mail reports that RA later admitted to having sold the baby to lessen his mounting debts, but the cash didn’t last long, as he also confessed to having already spent the money online.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) said the dad had engaged in “activities that are being eradicated by the state” after contacting two people – identified and MO – who were “looking to purchase a toddler”.

Speaking to local outlet detiknews, the organisation’s chief, Ai Maryati, said: “It is worrying that he (RA) is using his financial situation to engage in activities that are being eradicated by the state and with children being sold, he is also violating basic human rights. RA saw on Facebook that the buyers were looking to purchase a toddler so he sent them a message and arranged the purchase.”

The baby’s buyers didn’t get away scot free, as the two were arrested on suspicion of their involvement in a human trafficking network. In Indonesia, the crime carries a 15-year jail sentence and 600 million rupiah (£29,300) fine. They are being investigated for suspected involvement in a larger trafficking network.

The shocking sale is not the first of its kind, according to Jakarta police chief Arya Perdan who said children have been advertised on Facebook and sold for between 10 to 15 million Indonesian rupiah (£490 to £740). Children purchased in Indonesia are reportedly then moved off to Bali, and re-sold for up to 45million rupiah (£2,195).