Indonesia moves to repatriate thousands from Cambodia amid scam crackdown

Indonesian authorities are working to repatriate thousands of citizens from Cambodia amid growing concerns over online fraud networks and alleged human trafficking operations, with officials now seeking to distinguish between trafficking victims and individuals involved in cybercrime activities.

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed that 3,595 Indonesian nationals who had reported themselves to the mission have undergone assessment, with initial findings indicating no immediate evidence that they were victims of human trafficking.

However, Indonesian police simultaneously acknowledge that hundreds of citizens were trafficked into scam operations in Cambodia last year, highlighting the complex and often blurred line between victims and perpetrators in Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding online fraud industry.

Embassy Conducts Mass Assessments

In a written statement released over the weekend, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh said assessments were conducted using tools developed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with international organisations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and in accordance with national anti-trafficking regulations.

According to the embassy, the majority of Indonesians seeking assistance were found to have immigration-related problems rather than being clear victims of trafficking. Many did not possess valid passports and faced penalties for overstaying their visas in Cambodia.

To facilitate their return, Cambodian immigration authorities granted waivers for overstay fines while Indonesian officials issued temporary travel documents, allowing repatriation to proceed.

A total of 743 Indonesians are scheduled to return to Indonesia between 15 February and 4 March 2026 through coordinated departures, while another 225 have already returned independently since late January.

Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto said embassy officials accompanied returnees all the way to airport departure gates to ensure orderly repatriation.

“The Indonesian Embassy will ensure that upon their arrival in Jakarta, they will undergo further investigation by relevant authorities,” Santo said.

Authorities aim to determine whether returnees were victims, witnesses, or participants in online fraud operations, and whether legal action is necessary.

Cooperation with Cambodian Authorities Intensifies

The embassy also confirmed that cooperation with Cambodian authorities is being strengthened to combat cybercrime operations that have drawn foreign workers, including Indonesians, into scam compounds operating across the country.

Cambodian authorities have recently intensified raids against online fraud syndicates, prompting many foreign workers to leave scam centres and seek help from embassies.

Indonesian officials expect more citizens to come forward as enforcement operations continue.

To cope with rising demand, the embassy has expanded registration and verification processes and increased issuance of temporary travel documents for Indonesians lacking passports.

Coordination is also being strengthened with Indonesian law enforcement agencies to ensure proper legal handling of returnees once they arrive home.

Police Confirm Hundreds Were Trafficked

Despite embassy assessments indicating no immediate trafficking indicators among recently registered returnees, Indonesian police say human trafficking remains a significant problem linked to Cambodia’s scam industry.

Nurul Azizah, Director of Women, Children and Human Trafficking Crimes at Indonesia’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), said authorities recorded at least 699 Indonesian citizens as victims of trafficking connected to online scam operations in Cambodia throughout 2025.

Victims were typically recruited with promises of lucrative employment, she said, often offered salaries equivalent to US$900 to US$1,200 per month, along with accommodation and travel arrangements.

Many were promised work as customer service staff, telemarketing agents or cryptocurrency operators, only to find themselves trapped in fraud operations.

“The victims were lured by promises of well-paid jobs,” Nurul said in a public discussion in January.

Victims Forced to Become Offenders

Investigators say dismantling these networks is difficult because they operate across multiple countries and use decentralised structures, making it hard to identify key organisers.

A further complication arises when trafficking victims are forced to participate in online scams under threats or coercion.

Nurul stressed that authorities aim to avoid criminalising individuals who committed illegal acts while under duress.

In practice, however, distinguishing coerced victims from willing participants remains challenging, especially when workers initially travel voluntarily before becoming trapped.

Embassy Overwhelmed by Requests for Assistance

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has faced mounting pressure due to the surge of citizens seeking help.

By January, more than 1,440 Indonesians had directly reported to the embassy seeking assistance, according to Ambassador Santo. Many arrived without valid immigration documents, often after having their passports confiscated by employers or traffickers.

Some suffered health problems or psychological stress following their experiences in scam centres.

Embassy officials have referred vulnerable individuals for medical treatment while accelerating travel document issuance to speed up repatriation.

In January alone, the embassy handled over 1,000 distress cases involving Indonesians, while in 2025 it dealt with more than 5,000 cases, the majority linked to online scam activities.

Regional Crackdown Exposes Scam Networks

The growing number of Indonesians seeking help follows renewed crackdowns by Cambodian authorities targeting scam compounds allegedly run by international criminal syndicates.

Recent arrests and deportations of individuals suspected of organising large-scale online fraud operations have reportedly triggered an exodus of foreign workers seeking to escape the compounds.

As enforcement increases, embassies across Southeast Asia are seeing more citizens seeking protection.

However, authorities also warn that scammers are exploiting the chaos, sometimes posing as embassy officials to deceive stranded workers.