JAKARTA - The number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who returned to the country gradually increased, even though the number of those who reported themselves after leaving the online fraud centers (scam centers) in Cambodia is still increasing.
Along with the steps taken by the Cambodian authorities to intensify efforts to eradicate online scams in the country since January 16, many workers in scam centers from various countries have tried to find a way out and return to their country by reporting to the embassy, including Indonesian citizens.
On Thursday, ten Indonesian citizens returned home independently, after going through the deportation process facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Since January 30, 2026, a total of 86 Indonesian citizens, who had previously left the online fraud syndicate in Cambodia, have returned home using commercial flights.
"Hopefully, the Indonesian citizens who have been given support for the issuance of temporary travel documents (SPLP) by the Indonesian Embassy and the exemption from immigration fines by the Cambodian authorities can immediately arrange their return trip to Indonesia as soon as possible," said the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto, launching the statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh (6/2).
For the next two weeks, 257 Indonesian citizens have purchased tickets to Indonesia. To facilitate the departure process, the Indonesian Embassy provided assistance and coordinated with the airport authorities in Phnom Penh.
Upon arrival in Indonesia, the Indonesian citizens were examined by a joint team from various agencies, including law enforcement officers. This effort is to complement the initial assessment that the Indonesian Embassy has carried out when each Indonesian citizen submits a complaint to the Indonesian Embassy.
Between January 16 and February 5, 2026, a total of 3,446 had come to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh after leaving online fraud syndicates in various provinces in Cambodia. They asked for facilitation to return to Indonesia.
Among the Indonesian citizens, 1,178 people are currently in temporary shelters while waiting for their deportation process. The basic needs of Indonesian citizens are facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy in cooperation with local authorities.
In order that more Indonesian citizens can return to Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy continues to improve the process of data collection for Indonesian citizens, verification, case assessment, and the creation of SPLP for those who do not have passports.
The Indonesian Embassy has also submitted a request to the Cambodian authorities for a reduction in immigration fines for nearly 800 Indonesian citizens. Hopefully this request will be granted in the next few days.
As previously reported, the Cambodian government has increased its efforts to combat online scams and has intensified since January 16, 2026.
"Recently, there have been arrests of several masterminds and main managers of scam centers," said Ambassador Santo in an online press statement some time ago.
With the arrest, many scam centers closed down their operations and foreign nationals working at these places were allowed to leave.
"Many are looking for a mechanism to return to their country, including Indonesian citizens," explained Ambassador Santo, regarding the surge in Indonesian citizens who came to report to the Indonesian Embassy.
"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.
The ambassador said that this scam center is located in Phnom Penh, around Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot to Mondulkiri which is closer to Vietnam.
For comparison, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh said that throughout last year, it handled 5,006 cases of Indonesian citizens.
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