Over 6,000 Indonesians Involved in Cambodian Online Scams, One-Third Return Home

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, has recorded a surge in the number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) involved in online scam syndicates exceeding 6,000 people, with more than one-third of them having returned to the homeland.

According to a press release from KBRI Phnom Penh, confirmed in Jakarta on Friday, from 16 January to 26 March 2026, there were 6,308 former Indonesian online scam syndicate members who reported their presence in Cambodia and requested facilitation for their return to Indonesia.

“Of that number, from 30 January to 26 March 2026, KBRI Phnom Penh has facilitated the return of 2,528 Indonesians to Indonesia in stages,” said KBRI Phnom Penh.

The surge in Indonesians reporting to KBRI occurred alongside increasingly intensive operations to eradicate online scam syndicates by Cambodian authorities since mid-January 2026.

Moreover, the Cambodian government aims to make its territory free from online scam syndicate activities before the Khmer New Year celebrations in mid-April 2026.

“That target has contributed to the increasing number of Indonesians leaving those networks,” stated KBRI Phnom Penh.

To accelerate the repatriation process, KBRI continues to maintain close communication with the Cambodian government, particularly to obtain waivers for overstay fines for Indonesians.

As of 26 March, the Cambodian government has waived fines for 4,361 Indonesians out of the 6,308 who reported to KBRI Phnom Penh. Meanwhile, Travel Documents in Lieu of Passports (SPLP) have been issued by KBRI for 2,346 Indonesians who no longer have travel documents.

KBRI Phnom Penh, with support from the Cambodian government, has also facilitated temporary accommodation for up to 300 Indonesians facing financial constraints while awaiting repatriation.

With the rising number of Indonesians seeking repatriation assistance after leaving online scam syndicates, KBRI Phnom Penh is committed to continuing to provide protection to Indonesians, without overlooking aspects of law enforcement.

KBRI also continues to coordinate with law enforcement in Indonesia to conduct examinations of former Indonesian online scam syndicate members, particularly to identify the level of involvement of Indonesians in those illegal activities.