590 Indonesian Citizens of the Online Fraud Syndicate in Cambodia Return to Indonesia
JAKARTA - The number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are former workers of online scam networks (online scams) in Cambodia who have returned to the country continues to increase.
In the last week, from February 23 to March 1, 2026, 590 Indonesian citizens have returned to Indonesia. This figure is increasing compared to the previous week which amounted to 462 Indonesian citizens.
Thus, the total number of Indonesian citizens who have been facilitated to return by the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh from January 30 to March 1, 2026 reached 1,252 people, launching the statement of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh portal on the website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday (2/3).
The Indonesian Embassy estimates that the actual number is higher, considering that there are still Indonesian citizens who return independently without reporting their return.
It is known that since the spike in cases on January 16, 2026 to March 1, 2026, the number of Indonesian citizens who reported directly to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh reached 5,264 people. This number has exceeded the total number of Indonesian cases handled by the Indonesian Embassy throughout 2025 which was recorded at 5,088 people.
Of this number, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has carried out an initial assessment of almost all Indonesian citizens. To date, there has been no indication that Indonesian citizens have been victims of human trafficking crimes (TPPO).
The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh coordinates closely with law enforcement agencies in the country to ensure that upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Indonesian citizens undergo further examination to determine the level of involvement in online fraud syndicates.
To accelerate the return of Indonesian citizens, the Cambodian government has also provided a waiver of immigration fines to 2,884 Indonesian citizens who have overstay fines.
The Indonesian Embassy in Japan urges Indonesian citizens who have obtained a Passport Travel Permit (SPLP) and a waiver of fines to immediately purchase tickets and return to Indonesia.
Until now, the Cambodian government continues to carry out operations to eradicate online fraud networks in various regions and aims to be free from online scam activities before the Khmer New Year celebrations in mid-April 2026.
The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh will continue to coordinate with Cambodian authorities and related agencies in Indonesia to ensure the protection and return of Indonesian citizens are carried out safely and orderly.