Government expedites return of citizens linked to online scam in Cambodia

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry is coordinating with related ministries and agencies to explore several options for speeding up the return of Indonesian citizens who are still in Cambodia, the ministry’s Acting Director for Indonesian Citizen Protection, Heni Hamidah, said during a media briefing on Thursday.

Hamidah said this step was prompted by Cambodia’s warning to all foreign missions in the country to immediately repatriate nationals suspected of involvement in online fraud.

The warning has urged the Indonesian government to expedite the return of Indonesian citizens, particularly those who already hold travel documents and are eligible for immigration fine reductions.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that 2,007 Indonesian citizens, out of 4,254 former online scam syndicate members who registered with the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh between 16 January and 15 February 2026, have received reduced immigration fines.

Nearly one thousand others have independently purchased return flight tickets, with departures scheduled in stages from 16 February to 4 March 2026.

Hamidah stressed that the accelerated repatriation will be followed by legal action in Indonesia.

Based on initial assessments of 3,917 of the 4,254 Indonesian citizens who reported themselves, no victims of human trafficking were found. “Many Indonesian citizens admitted their involvement in illegal activities in Cambodia, including online scams,” she added.

To facilitate travel, including for those without passports, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh issued 1,427 travel documents (SPLP) by 16 February. Around 1,200 Indonesian citizens remained in temporary shelters provided through coordination between the embassy and local authorities.