Nearly 1,000 Indonesian Victims of Online Scams Returned Home through Thailand Assistance, Prabowo Expresses Appreciation

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto revealed that nearly 1,000 Indonesian citizens were victims of online scams and were repatriated with the help of the Thai government.

This was conveyed by Prabowo in a joint press statement with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, August 3.

Prabowo said Indonesia appreciated Thailand for helping the repatriation process of Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scams.

"I convey my appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the Indonesian people to the Thai government for its assistance and close cooperation in facilitating the repatriation of Indonesian citizens who are victims of online scams," said Prabowo.

"The number is quite large, approaching 1,000 Indonesian citizens," he said.

Online scams are online scams that usually use the internet, messaging apps, social media, or digital platforms to deceive victims.

Prabowo said that Thailand's assistance was very meaningful for Indonesia. According to him, the cooperation showed the close relationship between the two countries.

During the meeting, Indonesia and Thailand agreed to strengthen political and security cooperation. The focus includes handling transnational crimes.

Transnational crime is a crime that involves cross-country, both perpetrators, victims, networks, and money flows.

Prabowo said future cooperation would include information and intelligence exchange, joint investigations, tracking financial flows, and law enforcement coordination.

The move is aimed at dismantling a transnational crime network.

"We agreed to strengthen cooperation in information and intelligence exchange, joint investigation cooperation, tracking financial flows, and law enforcement coordination," said Prabowo.

Indonesia and Thailand also support the development of the Transnational Referral Mechanism or TRM. The mechanism is prepared to accelerate the protection, identification, and repatriation of victims of transnational crimes in a safe and dignified manner.

Prabowo said the two countries would also optimize defense and security cooperation through the Indonesia-Thailand High Level Committee and the Indonesia-Thailand Security Dialogue.

According to Prabowo, the challenge of nontraditional security is increasingly complex. Therefore, Indonesia and Thailand need to play a stronger role in maintaining ASEAN resilience.