Gov't expedites return of citizens linked to online scam in Cambodia

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed efforts to accelerate the repatriation of thousands of Indonesian citizens affected by the crackdown on an online scam syndicate in Cambodia.

“We have coordinated with related ministries and agencies to explore several options for speeding up the return of Indonesian citizens who are still in Cambodia,” the ministry's Acting Director for Indonesian Citizen Protection, Heni Hamidah, said during a media briefing here 

Hamidah said this step was prompted by Cambodia’s warning to all foreign missions in the country to immediately repatriate nationals suspected of involvement in online fraud.

The warning has urged the Indonesian government to expedite the return of Indonesian citizens, particularly those who already hold travel documents and are eligible for immigration fine reductions.

Indonesia's Foreign Ministry confirmed that 2,007 Indonesian citizens, out of 4,254 former online scam syndicate members who registered with the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh between January 16 and February 15, 2026, have received reduced immigration fines.

Nearly one thousand others have independently purchased return flight tickets, with departures scheduled in stages from February 16 to March 4, 2026.

Hamidah stressed that the accelerated repatriation will be followed by legal action in Indonesia.

Based on initial assessments of 3,917 of the 4,254 Indonesian citizens who reported themselves, no victims of human trafficking were found. “Many Indonesian citizens admitted their involvement in illegal activities in Cambodia, including online scams,” she added.

To facilitate travel, including for those without passports, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh issued 1,427 travel documents (SPLP) by February 16. Around 1,200 Indonesian citizens remained in temporary shelters provided through coordination between the embassy and local authorities.