Online Scam Syndicate in Timor Leste Raided, Over 60 Indonesian Nationals Arrested

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the arrest of 61 Indonesian nationals suspected of involvement in an online scam syndicate in Timor Leste, with efforts currently underway to repatriate them. Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens (PWNI) at the Ministry, Heni Hamidah, stated that the dozens of Indonesian nationals were apprehended when local authorities launched a raid on an online scam centre on 27 June. “Based on our records, 67 Indonesian nationals were caught on 27 June, with six of them managing to escape,” Heni said during a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday. All of the arrested Indonesian nationals are currently being detained in Timor Leste and are undergoing an investigation process. Following further investigation, it was discovered that one of the 61 individuals acted as their supervisor. The whereabouts of the six who fled remain unknown. Heni noted that they managed to escape when the authorities raided the online scam centre. “We are still monitoring whether the arrested Indonesian nationals can be repatriated soon,” the Director for Protection of Indonesian Citizens added. Further investigation revealed that at least five of the detained individuals had previously worked in Cambodia. This aligns with the trend of online scam operators dispersing to other Southeast Asian countries following a massive crackdown by Cambodian authorities. “Following the raids on online scam centres in Cambodia, the ex-Cambodia Indonesian nationals have spread to several countries, including Timor Leste,” Heni explained. According to data from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, from January to June 2026, a total of 12,019 Indonesian nationals reported themselves and requested repatriation facilitation to Indonesia. This figure has more than doubled the total cases recorded throughout 2025, which stood at 5,088 Indonesian nationals. Despite the ongoing repatriation process, the embassy noted that there are still Indonesian nationals travelling to Cambodia to work in online fraud networks.