Since January, 6,308 Former Indonesian Scam Syndicate Members in Cambodia Request Return to Indonesia

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh continues to receive reports from Indonesians formerly involved in online scam syndicates in Cambodia requesting assistance for their return to Indonesia. From 16 January to 26 March, the number of Indonesians reporting reached 6,308. Of this total, the embassy has facilitated the gradual return of 2,528 Indonesians to Indonesia. The embassy is ongoing in coordinating with the Cambodian government to obtain waivers for overstays fines. As of yesterday, the Cambodian government has granted overstays fine waivers for 4,361 Indonesians. Additionally, the embassy has issued Travel Documents in Lieu of Passports (SPLP) for 2,346 Indonesians lacking travel documents. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, on Friday (27/3/2026), the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has facilitated temporary shelter for Indonesians facing financial constraints while awaiting repatriation processes. Currently, around 300 Indonesians remain in temporary shelter. As is known, the surge in Indonesians seeking assistance at the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has occurred over the past two and a half months, coinciding with the intensification of operations to eradicate online scam syndicates by the Cambodian government since January 2026. To date, the influx of Indonesians to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh continues. The Cambodian government aims to free its territory from online scam syndicates before the Khmer New Year celebrations in mid-April 2026. This target has contributed to the increasing number of Indonesians exiting those networks. The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh reaffirms its commitment to providing protection to all Indonesians, without neglecting aspects of law enforcement. The embassy is also coordinating with Indonesian law enforcement authorities to conduct checks on Indonesians formerly involved in online scam syndicates, particularly to identify the level of their involvement in those illegal activities.