Delinquent since he was a little boy, Tjonat runs away to Batavia (Jakarta) after murdering his friend. In the city, he becomes a servant working for a Dutch family. But all he does is swindle the mistress' wealth. Then he turns into a robber and falls in love with Lie Gouw Nio. When she rejects him, Tjonat tries to kidnap her. But the attempt is stopped by the brave and handsome Thio Sing Sang.