12 Indonesian Citizens Victims Of The Cambodian “Online Scam” Company Arrive In Indonesia

Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha (second left) led the repatriation of 12 Indonesian citizens who were victims of "online scams" who had arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Banten, on Friday night (5/8/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - As many as 12 Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scams in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, have been repatriated and arrived safely in the country.

The arrival of the dozens of Indonesian citizens at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on a Garuda Indonesia plane was the first stage of repatriation among hundreds of Indonesian citizens who were victims of online scam companies in Cambodia. "Initially to find out the physical and psychological conditions of the victims, as well as other information that can be used for the benefit of handling victims' rehabilitation and law enforcement for recruiters," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 5.

The twelve Indonesian citizens will be hospitalized in the Protection House and Trauma Center (RPTC) of the Ministry of Social Affairs for further treatment.

After undergoing rehabilitation in a safe house, the Indonesian citizens will be returned to their respective areas of origin in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Riau Islands, East Java and South Sulawesi.

"The next stage of repatriation (from Cambodia) will be carried out immediately in the next few days according to flight availability," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also coordinating with the Indonesian National Police to investigate the case of this alleged criminal act of trafficking in persons (TPPO).

Based on data from the Directorate for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens and BHI at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Indonesian citizens who are victims of TIP in Cambodia has increased from 119 people in 2021 to 298 people in the January-July 2022 period.

"For cases being handled at this time, the number of victims also continues to grow from the initial report of 53 people to 129 people who have now been rescued and are at the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh," said Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha.