Police Assist in Freeing Two Indonesian Online Scam Operators in Myanmar

The Indonesian National Police are intervening to assist in the rescue of two Indonesian citizens suspected of being held captive in Myawaddy, Myanmar. Both individuals reportedly worked as online scam operators.

“We are monitoring the situation and are currently pursuing various measures for the individuals concerned, who are online scam operators,” said Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of the NCB Interpol Indonesia at the National Police International Relations Division, on Sunday (19/7).

According to Untung, the police are continuously coordinating with relevant parties regarding the rescue process for the two Indonesian citizens. This is particularly challenging given that they are being held in Myawaddy, a border area between Myanmar and Thailand that is an armed conflict zone between the military junta and rebel groups. The region is also extremely dangerous and difficult for the government to access, and is frequently used as a location to hold Indonesian victims of job scams.

“Even the Myanmar police do not dare to enter because they are suspected of being held in a rebel-controlled area,” he stated.

Previously, a video circulated widely on social media showing two young Indonesian women in handcuffs claiming they were being held captive in Myanmar. They sent the video pleading for help to be repatriated. One of the women was identified as Ayu, a resident of Garagahan, Lubuk Basung District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra.

The West Sumatra Centre for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BP3MI) verified that one of the individuals in the video is indeed Ayu, a resident of Agam Regency. “After the video went viral, we immediately coordinated with relevant parties, from the Agam Regency Manpower Office to the West Sumatra Regional Police. From the coordination, it is confirmed that Ayu is a resident of Agam,” said Head of BP3MI West Sumatra, Jupriyadi, on Thursday (16/7).

Ayu is suspected of having travelled abroad through unofficial or non-procedural channels, meaning BP3MI holds no data on her departure. “If an Indonesian Migrant Worker departs unofficially, we do not have their data. Usually, we only find out when problems like this arise,” Jupriyadi said. He also suspected that the work Ayu and her friend were involved in was related to online fraud or scamming. “In regions of Myanmar like that, the work available is usually related to scams or scamming,” he added.