Thousands of Gen Z fall victim to online TIP scams, some are master's degree graduates

Jakarta – There is a lot of discussion on social media, where there are 97 Indonesian citizens suspected of being involved in a riot when they fled from an online fraud company in Cambodia. The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Phnom Penh also intervened to provide assistance. In a video circulating on social media, Indonesian citizens are said to have escaped from the captivity of an online scam company in Chrey Thum City, Kandal Province, Cambodia. According to information from the Indonesian Embassy, ​​of the 97 Indonesian citizens, 86 people are at the police station and 11 are in the hospital. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT “So there are four detained. So of the 97, 86 are at the police station, 11 are in the hospital. Of the 86, four of them are detained at the police station, because based on the results of the investigation, they were the ones who committed the violence, said that the violence was carried out against the Indonesian. Protection for Indonesian citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, in Cikini, Central Jakarta, Monday (20/10/2025). Judha said the riot took place on October 17. The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh also met Indonesian citizens who were at the police station. “We provide consular access so that friends from the Indonesian embassy can meet Indonesian citizens at the police station,” he said. The Indonesian Embassy has too distributed logistical assistance to these Indonesian citizens. Judha explained that the government was trying to return the Indonesian citizens to their homeland. “We will try to coordinate with local authorities for legal assistance for them, including ensuring that they can be returned to Indonesia,” he said. The involvement of Indonesian citizens in online fraud cases seems to have become commonplace. In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that since 2020, about 10 thousand Indonesian citizens have been involved in online scams. This figure is in 10 other countries. “Since 2020 until now, a total of more than 10 thousand cases of online scams have occurred, which initially only occurred in Cambodia, which spread to 9 other countries. In total, we have recorded 10 countries that have cases of Indonesian citizens involved in online scams,” said Judha. According to Judha, approximately 1,500 out of 10 thousand Indonesian citizens are victims of TIP. They are hired for online scams. One of the ways Indonesian citizens become victims of TIP is being offered large salaries. “TPPO victims in Indonesia receive job offers abroad. Usually as customer service or marketing with a salary of between USD 1,000 to 1,200,” he said. However, there are also Indonesian citizens who are aware and volunteer to work for online scams because they receive high salary offers. Judha said that Indonesian citizens who knowingly engage in fraud cases can be charged with crime. “There are those who are aware of it, yes, there are those who have moved somehow. So, for example, there are citizens of our country who are already working in a destination country, then get an offer to work in a scam because the salary offer is higher and the convenience is higher,” he said. What is surprising is that the average TIP victim is Gen Z and educated. Some of the victims even had master’s degrees. Why could this happen? Read the full discussion only in the Tuesday edition of detikPagi (21/10/2025). Continue to enjoy the typical detikPagi information breakfast menu live (live stream) on Monday-Friday, 08.00-11.00 WIB, on 20.detik.com, YouTube and TikTok detikcom. Not just listening, detikers can also share ideas, stories and even ask questions via the live chat column. “Morning moments, no more don’t sleep!” (frs/frs)