KP2MI ensures that 110 Indonesian citizens who are victims of online scams in Cambodia are safe

Jakarta – The Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) ensures that 110 Indonesian citizens (WNI) involved in the event in Chrey Thum City, Kandal Province, Cambodia are in a safe condition. Everything is under the management of the Cambodian authorities and direct assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh. “We ensure that all Indonesian citizens who are victims or involved in this case are safe,” Minister for Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, said in his statement on Tuesday (21/10/2025). The latest data obtained by the KP2MI team is that 97 Indonesian citizens fled from companies suspected of conducting online fraud activities. A total of 13 other Indonesian nationals were successfully removed from the place where they worked in Chrey Thum. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT Previously, 99 Indonesian citizens were detained at the local police station, and 11 Indonesian citizens were treated in hospital. Currently, 110 Indonesian citizens are at the Phnom Penh Immigration Detention Center for the data collection and inspection process by local authorities. “The Indonesian government, through the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh and KP2MI, is working intensively with the Cambodian authorities to guarantee protection, legal assistance and a humane and enforced repatriation process,” Mukhtaruddin said. Regarding the results of the interim assessment, of the 11 Indonesian citizens who reported experiencing violence, there were 4 Indonesian citizens who acted as scam leaders and were suspected of being the perpetrators of violence against their colleagues. This case is being handled by the Cambodian police. Based on initial data collection, the 91 Indonesian citizens came from North Sumatra (Medan), North Sulawesi (Manado), West Kalimantan (Pontianak) and Batam, with the length of stay in Cambodia ranging from two years to the last two months. KP2MI sent a team directly to Cambodia to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh and meet with local authorities to ensure the condition of all Indonesian citizens. The Joint Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, KP2MI carried out data collection, assessment and verification of personal data and companies where Indonesian citizens worked, as well as preparing steps for repatriation after the legal process is completed. KP2MI also encourages all ministries/institutions and local governments to strengthen the prevention of Indonesian citizens leaving for the online fraud sector in Cambodia and Myanmar through education, surveillance and law enforcement. “We also remind the public not to be easily tempted by work agreements abroad without going through official procedures. The government will strengthen cooperation between ministries and law enforcement to break the network of illegal fraud that ensnares our citizens,” Mukhtarudin concluded. Furthermore, KP2MI will continue to monitor developments in this case and provide regular updates to the public according to official information from the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Cambodian authorities. (prf/ega)