Foreign Ministry: Over 1,200 Indonesians Repatriated from Myanmar Online Scam Centres

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that more than 1,200 Indonesian citizens have been rescued and repatriated from online scam centres in Myanmar up to July 2026. “From 20 February to 16 July 2026, the Indonesian government has successfully facilitated the repatriation of 1,203 Indonesian citizens from online scam centres in Myanmar via Thailand,” said the Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heni Hamidah, in a written response to journalists in Jakarta on Monday. She said the repatriations were carried out through intensive coordination between the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon, the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok which facilitated the repatriation of citizens via Thailand, and other relevant ministries and agencies. Heni stated that the repatriation process faced highly complex challenges, given that most of the locations where the citizens were held are outside the effective control of Myanmar authorities. She further explained that this serves as a reminder of the high risks faced by Indonesian citizens if they work abroad through non-procedural means. Based on recurring patterns in various cases, Indonesian citizens trapped in online scam syndicates in Myanmar generally departed through non-procedural channels. They were enticed by job offers with high salaries in countries such as Thailand. However, upon arrival in Thailand, they were illegally transported across the border to Myawaddy, Myanmar, and forced to work for online scam syndicates. “The victims often experience passport confiscation, restrictions on freedom of movement, intimidation, violence, and even become victims of human trafficking,” she said. She reiterated a warning to the public not to be easily tempted by overseas job offers promising high salaries without going through official placement mechanisms. The public is also urged to use placement channels that comply with legal provisions and to be critical in accepting overseas job offers, including verifying the legality of companies, to avoid becoming victims of fraud. “Prevention is the best measure to protect Indonesian citizens from the risk of exploitation and human trafficking abroad,” Heni concluded.