Indonesian Victims of Cyber Scams in Cambodia Stranded in Phnom Penh Park

A number of Indonesian nationals (WNI) who managed to escape the clutches of cyber scam networks in Cambodia are now in distressing conditions. They are forced to survive in emergency tents at Wat Botum Park in Phnom Penh, directly across from the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI), in hopes of receiving assistance to return home. Based on information gathered on Saturday (6/6), the victims were trapped after being enticed by job offers via social media. One victim named Abi revealed that he was recruited through Facebook with a promised monthly salary of US$800, or approximately Rp13 million. In reality, he only received US$300 and was forced to manage scam chat groups impersonating major platforms such as Shopee and TikTok. Conditions inside the scam companies were described as extremely inhumane. Workers who failed to meet targets frequently received severe physical punishments. ‘I was electrocuted, confined, handcuffed, tortured, and then shortly after sold to another company. The pattern was always similar,’ said one victim who declined to be fully identified. Another victim, Hasbi Al Huda, stated he could not return home because his visa documents were confiscated by the company. He is now hampered by the cost of an aeroplane ticket and administrative procedures needed to return to Indonesia. The situation is exacerbated by the many Indonesians facing overstay fines due to expired residence permits during their captivity. The KBRI Phnom Penh has recorded a drastic increase in reports related to this case. Based on official data, between 16 January and 31 May 2026, a total of 10,151 Indonesian citizens reported to the embassy to request the repatriation process. This figure is the highest in the history of handling cyber scam cases in the region. The Cambodian government is currently intensifying crackdowns on cyber scam compounds. An estimated 300,000 people from various countries have left these networks in recent months, triggering a wave of refugees in the capital’s public spaces. As of now, the Indonesian nationals at Wat Botum Park are still awaiting clarity on evacuation measures and logistical assistance. Many of them no longer have funds or official documents to pursue independent repatriation routes.