Nearly 2,900 Indonesians Seek Repatriation from Cambodia Amid Online Scam Crackdown

Mass Exodus from Scam Centers

A significant number of Indonesian nationals, totaling 2,887, have sought assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh to return home from Cambodia between January 16 and January 31, 2026. This influx of individuals follows an intensified crackdown by the Cambodian government on online scam operations, which has led to the closure of numerous illicit centers and the arrest of key figures involved in these syndicates.

Many of these Indonesians were reportedly lured to Cambodia under false pretenses of high-paying jobs, only to find themselves compelled to work in online fraud networks. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have previously documented severe human rights abuses within these scam compounds, citing instances of 'forced labor,' 'torture,' and 'ill-treatment' across at least 53 such facilities in Cambodia.

Repatriation Efforts Underway

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has been actively coordinating the repatriation process, deploying additional personnel and collaborating with Cambodian authorities to facilitate the return of its citizens. Measures include rapid registration, identity verification, and the issuance of emergency travel documents for those without passports. Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto, confirmed that the embassy is working to ensure the basic needs of these citizens are met while they await their return.

The first wave of repatriation saw 36 Indonesian citizens arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on January 30, 2026. Upon their arrival in Indonesia, these individuals undergo comprehensive screening processes, including health and psychological assessments, as well as in-depth profiling by law enforcement agencies to determine their legal status.

Debate on Victim Status

The situation has sparked a debate within Indonesia regarding the classification of these returnees. While some are clearly victims of human trafficking, initially deceived by promises of legitimate work, others may have knowingly participated in the scam operations. Deputy Minister for Migrant Worker Protection, Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla, noted that many were illegal migrant workers due to the absence of a bilateral labor agreement between Indonesia and Cambodia. Cyber security observers, such as Pratama Persadha, Chairman of the CISSReC Cyber Security Research Institute, have highlighted that the individuals involved range from pure victims to those who adapted to or voluntarily engaged in the fraudulent activities.

The Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency confirmed in January 2026 that 699 Indonesians were indeed victims of human trafficking, lured by high salary promises and subsequently forced into scamming roles.