Embassy Of The Republic Of Indonesia Contacts Cambodian Police To Help Release Indonesian Citizens Who Are Imprisoned

Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh immediately contacted the Cambodian Police to help free 53 Indonesian citizens (WNI) held captive in the country.

According to the Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, dozens of Indonesian citizens were reported to be victims of fraud by a fake investment company in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

"The Indonesian Embassy has contacted the Cambodian Police to request assistance for release while continuing to communicate with Indonesian citizens. Currently, the Cambodian Police are taking steps to handle it," Judha said via text message, Thursday, July 28, as reported by Antara.

He explained that cases of fraud in fake investment companies are increasingly common because of the many job offers in Cambodia through social media.

In 2021, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has successfully handled and repatriated 119 Indonesian citizens who were victims of fake investments.

However, this year, similar cases are on the rise. As of July 2022, 291 Indonesian citizens have become victims, with 133 of them having been successfully repatriated.

To reduce the number of cases, said Judha, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated the Criminal Investigation Police investigators to conduct investigations in Cambodia.

"From the Indonesian citizens who have been released, the Indonesian Embassy has also received information about recruiters, most of whom are still from Indonesia," said Judha.

The information was forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Police for further investigation in order to take action against the recruiters.

"Various socialization measures have also been increased so that people are aware of fraudulent modes of job vacancies in Cambodia," said Judha.

This case emerged from a complaint from a netizen with the account @angelinahui97 to the Office of Manpower and Transmigration of Central Java Province regarding the confinement of 54 Indonesian citizens in Cambodia.

Through the upload, he asked the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, for immediate assistance. Ganjar immediately ordered the Central Java Province Manpower and Transmigration Office to follow up on the report.

"We immediately followed up on the report and received information from an Indonesian citizen on behalf of Mohammad Effendy. He represents 54 Indonesian citizens working in Cambodia who are suspected of having experienced labor placement fraud and suspected human trafficking (TPPO)," said the Head of the Manpower and Transmigration Office of Central Java Province, Sakina. Rosellasari.

According to him, the Indonesian citizens in Cambodia were promised to work as operators, call center officers, and finance officers, but the placement locations were not in accordance with the agreement.

"The mode of departure is unprocedural by using an individual agency with each Indonesian citizen departing with a different agency. According to information from the person concerned, it is possible to trade in the next three days," he said.