Indonesian Ambassador Monitors the Return of Indonesian Citizens from Cambodia and Ensures the Inspection Process in the Country

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto, said his party escorted the return of Indonesian citizens (WNI) from Cambodia and ensured that they underwent an examination upon arrival in the country.

He said this in line with the surge in Indonesian citizens who came to report to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh since January 16, when the Cambodian government increased law enforcement against online fraud syndicate networks by targeting online fraud centers (scam centers).

In his statement on Saturday (14/2), the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh revealed that the number of Indonesian citizens who had come to report and ask for facilitation to return home reached 4,150 people.

From all the Indonesian citizens who submitted a request for facilitation, an assessment has been carried out on 3,595 reports, in which so far no Indonesian citizens have been indicated as victims of TPPO. Many admitted their involvement in online fraud activities that harmed the people in the country.

The majority of Indonesian citizens do not have passports and are subject to a large immigration fine for overstaying. For those who have been given temporary travel documents by the Indonesian Embassy and the overstay fine has been granted a waiver by Cambodian Immigration, as many as 743 people have prepared return plane tickets in the period from February 15 to March 4, 2026.

Previously, as many as 225 Indonesian citizens had returned home independently and gradually since January 30, 2026.

"Hopefully, the Indonesian citizens who have been facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy and the immigration fine will be eased by the Cambodian authorities so that they can immediately arrange their return trip to Indonesia," said Ambassador Santo.

"Their departure was facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh until the departure gate at the airport," added Ambassador Santo.

On the other hand, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh continues to improve coordination with related agencies in the country, including law enforcement officers, so that the problem WNI who have been facilitated to return home undergo an examination upon arrival in Jakarta. This effort is to complement the early assessment carried out when WNI reported to the Indonesian Embassy.

"At the same time, the Indonesian Embassy will ensure that upon their arrival in Jakarta, further examinations will be carried out by the relevant parties," explained the Indonesian Ambassador.

This process is expected to determine the level of involvement of Indonesian citizens in online fraud activities as well as legal action.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian government has expressed its commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating cybercrime with Indonesia. It was also conveyed that there were plans to continue to increase raids on online fraud syndicate networks. Therefore, it is believed that the number of Indonesian citizens who will report to the Indonesian Embassy will continue to increase.

To anticipate this development, the Indonesian Embassy continues to improve the process of data collection for Indonesian citizens, verification, case assessment, and the creation of SPLP for those who do not have passports. The Indonesian Embassy will also increase coordination with the Cambodian Authority and institutions in the country, including law enforcement officials.