In Majalaya, in west Java, poverty can be seen everywhere.

In one local village, 70 per cent of people have no employment and spend their days scavenging through rubbish.

It is here, about 200 kilometres south-east of Jakarta, the ABC found evidence of an organ trafficking trade where residents have sold their kidneys.

The lure of 75 million Rupiah, or around $7,500, was too much for eight residents of the local village.

Two of the victims there, including 18-year-old Ifan, has a wife and a young child.

In the small, dark and damp room they call home, there are very few possessions and there is not a toy in sight.

"I was in need of money to pay off my debt," Ifan said.

"I wanted to get a big amount of money. How could I do that so I could pay off my debt and provide for my family?"

Ifan said a broker named Amang came to the village to organise the deal, convincing him it was medically safe and his health would not suffer.

The medical check-ups and surgery took place at the Government-run Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital in central Jakarta.

With the money, he bought a PlayStation, a television, mobile phones and some gold.

But it was all stolen three days later.

"I would say I regret it very much," he said.

"I regret it because I think to live with one kidney is very painful. I'm very sad."

His wounds appear to have healed well, but since the surgery his health has been poor, he said.

Our life has declined drastically, donor's wife says

Ifan said a broker came to the village to organise the organ deal, convincing him it was medically safe and his health would not suffer. ( ABC News: Samantha Hawley )

Ifan's wife, 19-year-old Siti Nur Janah, said her husband was desperate to clear their debts but now their life was much harder.

"They stole everything. Our life has declined drastically," she said.

"Our income has also declined because Ifan used to work in construction but now he rarely gets work, because he is often sick."

Ifan's wife, Siti Nur Janah, says her husband was desperate to clear their debts but now their life is much harder. ( ABC News: Samantha Hawley )

Senior Police Commissioner Umar Fana Surya is in charge of the investigation into the organ trafficking trade.

He said 30 victims have so far come forward, and three suspected brokers had been arrested.

"The hospitals being used are a government public hospital in Jakarta, supported by two private hospitals, for preliminary checking," he said.

"The operation and surgery done was sophisticated, so good hospitals have done it."

Commissioner Surya said the kidney recipients paid 300 million Rupiah or $30,000, but the broker received most of this.

He said three suspects — believed to have acted as the middle men — have been detained.

The doctors involved in the surgery were not believed to have known about the illegal trading of the organs.

I just wanted to make my parents happy: Dasep

Dasep, 24, sold a kidney for $7,500. ( ABC News: Samantha Hawley )

Dasep, 24, is also from Majalaya and also sold a kidney for $7,500.

His decision was driven by his family's deep poverty.

"My condition, daily, was I was ashamed I couldn't find a job," he said.

"I couldn't steal, could I? The money wouldn't be Halal. So I sold it, my body."

In the small, stark home he shares with his parents and siblings, there is nothing to show for the money he received.

His wounds appear to have also healed well and he said he has no health concerns post-surgery.

His only regret was he did not get more than $7,500 for his kidney.

"We paid all the debts, bought rice, paid school fees for siblings," he said.

"I didn't use the money for myself. I just wanted to make my parents happy."

Police said they were interviewing the organ recipients but under Indonesian law they cannot be charged.