1,100 Indonesian Citizens Detained in Cambodia
A large-scale operation by Cambodian authorities to eradicate an online fraud network (scam center) has also entangled thousands of Indonesian citizens. Currently, approximately 1,100 Indonesian citizens are being held at the Pochentong immigration detention facility in Phnom Penh after being caught in the raid.
The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Phnom Penh, along with the Directorate for Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), immediately provided assistance to the Indonesian citizens. In addition to registering their identities, officers also issued Travel Documents in Lieu of Passports (SPLP) for those who no longer had travel documents.
Charge Ad Interim (KUAI) of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Krishnajie, stated that the Indonesian government continues to expedite the repatriation process for Indonesian citizens who meet the administrative requirements.
“The Indonesian Embassy continues to provide consular assistance, collect data, and issue SPLPs for Indonesian citizens who have lost their travel documents so that the repatriation process can be expedited,” he said.
The Indonesian Embassy also urged Indonesian citizens who still hold passports and complete travel documents to immediately purchase tickets to Indonesia. According to the Embassy, ​​many Indonesian citizens have chosen to remain in Cambodia despite having obtained a visa permit (SPLP) and overstay fines waived by local authorities.
The ongoing operation to eradicate scam centers has led to a continued increase in requests for assistance from Indonesian citizens. According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from January 1 to July 9, 2026, 12,207 Indonesian citizens submitted requests for repatriation from Cambodia.
Of these, 5,966 have been successfully facilitated to return to Indonesia, while the remainder are still undergoing data collection, examination, and administrative processing.
In addition to detaining approximately 1,100 Indonesian citizens in Pochentong, Cambodian authorities have also apprehended more than 600 other Indonesian citizens from several locations suspected of being hubs of online fraud activity. They are currently being held in several detention centers, including Bati, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville.
Krishnajie again reminded Indonesians to be more cautious about job offers promising high salaries abroad, especially in Cambodia.
“We urge Indonesians not to be easily tempted by unclear job offers and to refrain from engaging in online fraudulent activities in Cambodia,” he stressed.
