There are still Indonesian citizens interested in joining the online scam network even though the Cambodian government has taken strict action.

The process of repatriating Indonesian citizens from Cambodia. (Source: Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh appeals to Indonesian citizens (WNI) who want to join the online fraud network to give up their intentions, with the Cambodian Government increasing raids and taking firm action to deal with online scams.

The Cambodian government has taken firm action and increased raids on online fraud centers since January, with workers from abroad.

Despite the firm action of the Cambodian authorities, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh noted that "there are still Indonesian citizens who enter Cambodia to be involved in online fraud networks amid the Cambodian government's efforts to eradicate this illegal activity."

"The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh appeals to Indonesian citizens who still intend to be involved in this crime to abandon their plans and find legal jobs," said the Acting Head of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Krishnajie, launching the statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh (2/7).

Handling Indonesian citizens who are former members of a fraud network in Cambodia. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia)

"All parties, including Indonesian citizens, must be ready to face legal consequences if it is proven that they are still carrying out online fraud activities in Cambodia," he said.

The Director General of Asia, Pacific and Africa of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Santo Darmosumarto, explained in January that Cambodian authorities had intensified raids and arrests of several scam center masterminds and managers to combat online fraud.

That caused many scam centers to close and foreign nationals working there sought efforts to return to their respective countries, including those from Indonesia.

"This is massive, not just Indonesia. There are (workers from scam centers) from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar, Pakistan, India, even from Japan, South Korea, to unpredictable countries like Turkey," he said.

Indonesian citizens in front of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh. (Source: Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh)

The ambassador said that this scam center is located in Phnom Penh, around Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot to Mondulkiri which is closer to Vietnam.

The Ambassador of Santo confirmed that the surge in Indonesian citizens who reported this was not a new recruit, even some of them had repeatedly come to Cambodia.

As part of the enforcement measures, the Cambodian Government has enacted the Anti-Cyber Scam Law on April 7, 2026.

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh in a written statement on Thursday (2/7) revealed that the number of Indonesian citizens who reported themselves and applied for repatriation to their homeland from January to June 2026 reached 12,019 people.

According to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, most Indonesian citizens do not have passports and face a hefty overstay fine.

Until June 30, 2026, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has facilitated the return of 5,487 Indonesian citizens and issued 4,368 Letters of Travel for Passport (SPLP) for Indonesian citizens who do not have passports.

To support the repatriation process, the Cambodian government has provided a waiver of overstay fines to 5,950 Indonesian citizens.