ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Cambodia’s aggressive crackdown on online scam syndicates has triggered a record surge in repatriation requests from Indonesian nationals, underscoring the growing threat posed by transnational cybercrime across Southeast Asia.
The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh said 12,019 Indonesians requested government assistance to return home between January and June 2026, more than doubling the 5,088 cases recorded during the whole of 2025.
Most of those seeking repatriation are former workers linked to illegal online scam operations. Many no longer possess valid passports and face substantial immigration overstay fines, making their return to Indonesia more difficult.
By June 30, the embassy had facilitated the return of 5,487 Indonesians and issued 4,368 emergency travel documents to citizens without valid passports.
To support the repatriation process, Cambodian authorities have waived overstay fines for 5,950 Indonesians. However, many remain in Cambodia because they are unable to afford airfare home.
Indonesia’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Phnom Penh, Krishnajie, said financial hardship remains the biggest obstacle preventing many citizens from returning despite receiving immigration relief.
Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities continue nationwide operations against online scam compounds. The Indonesian Embassy said 676 Indonesians are currently being held in government detention facilities, while around 1,250 others are undergoing immigration processing in Pochentong after being detained during recent enforcement operations.
The embassy is also providing temporary shelter for vulnerable Indonesians, including women, children, infants, and those facing financial hardship. Around 120 people are currently staying at the facility while awaiting repatriation.
Despite the intensified crackdown, Indonesian officials warned that some citizens continue to travel to Cambodia after being lured by promises of lucrative jobs that ultimately lead to involvement in illegal online scam networks.
The embassy urged Indonesians to use only legal recruitment channels and avoid suspicious overseas job offers, warning that anyone found participating in online fraud operations in Cambodia will face legal consequences under Cambodian law.
The surge in repatriation requests highlights the widening regional impact of online scam syndicates, which continue to exploit vulnerable migrant workers through deceptive recruitment, forced labor, and cross-border cyber fraud—an increasingly urgent challenge for governments across Southeast Asia. (AT Network)
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