Two Factors Causing Many Indonesians to Fall Victim to Overseas Job Scams

International Relations lecturer at Padjadjaran University, Teuku Rezasyah, has explained two main factors causing many Indonesian citizens to remain tempted to work through non-procedural channels, leading them to become trapped in scam centres abroad: the pull and push mechanisms. ‘A pull and push mechanism is occurring that is increasingly tempting and difficult for the government and the general public to scrutinise,’ Rezasyah said on Wednesday (1/7). He explained that from the pull mechanism side, victims are usually enticed by various job offers that appear very promising. ‘For the pull mechanism, the bait is very tempting. Starting from the ease and comfort of doing business, very high bonuses, to security guarantees from parties outside the inviting employer,’ he stated. On the other hand, the push factor from within the country is also considered a strong reason that makes people take the risk of working abroad without official procedures. ‘For the push mechanism, the hustle and bustle of economic and political problems in the country makes it easier for those whose livelihoods are under pressure to force themselves to leave Indonesia as soon as possible,’ he explained. He added that prolonged economic pressure also impacts social relations within the community, making supervision of individuals vulnerable to recruitment increasingly difficult. ‘Still in the push aspect, the loosening of relations between community members due to economic burdens and socio-cultural crises makes it harder to supervise their immediate environment,’ he continued. Rezasyah also highlighted the importance of assistance measures after victims are successfully repatriated to Indonesia so that they do not fall back into the same illegal recruitment networks. According to him, scam centre networks are currently developing with increasing complexity, supported by sophisticated technology and strong cross-border connections. ‘Scam Centres have succeeded in building networks that are very technologically advanced, interconnected domestically and abroad, and supported by fanatical and ambitious field operators,’ he said. He assessed that these networks now operate in an increasingly hidden manner and are difficult for law enforcement to detect because they can adapt to their surroundings. ‘The Scam Centres are able to perform very smoothly, integrated with civil society, making them very difficult for state authorities to monitor,’ he stated. Regarding prevention measures to ensure the number of victims does not increase, Rezasyah stressed the importance of continuous monitoring of repatriated migrant workers so they do not become targets of human trafficking networks again. ‘Supervision of those who have returned home must continue to be carried out,’ he stressed. In addition, the government is urged to strengthen international cooperation in efforts to eradicate the transnational criminal networks operating scam centres. ‘The state should work with ASEANAPOL and Interpol to directly dismantle scam centres and their field operators, in accordance with applicable law,’ said Rezasyah. It is equally important, he noted, that public education must be massively expanded so that citizens understand the major risks of working through illegal channels. ‘The state must conduct outreach to the public, from school-age children to the elderly, regarding aspects of transnational crime and human trafficking,’ he concluded.