Fraud Crisis: Phnom Penh Embassy Assists Thousands of Indonesians Caught in Online Scams

9 hours ago 2

April 25, 2025 | 05:34 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Phnom Penh reported that it handled 1,301 problematic Indonesian citizens in Cambodia during the first quarter of 2025. Of these, 85 percent or 1,112 cases were related to online scams.

According to a press release posted on the Foreign Ministry’s official website Thursday, as cited by Antara, the number of online scam cases involving Indonesians marked a sharp 263 percent increase compared to just 306 cases during the same period last year.

Other cases involved civil, labor, and immigration issues across a range of business and industrial sectors.

“Apparently, despite repeated government warnings, extensive media coverage, and the viral spread of these cases on social media, many Indonesians are still drawn in by deceptive job offers that promise high salaries, light workloads, appealing benefits, and minimal requirements, " said Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto.

Santo noted that many of the scams are carried out by fellow Indonesians, targeting individuals back home. He added that a significant number of victims had already been in Cambodia for more than six months by the time they were reported.

The ambassador urged Indonesians to be more cautious and critical when considering overseas job opportunities.

“The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh will strengthen coordination with relevant institutions in Indonesia to boost prevention, response, and enforcement efforts, particularly in cases involving citizens facing trouble in Cambodia, " he said.

He also stressed the need to improve public awareness and digital literacy to help citizens avoid falling victim to illegal job recruitment schemes and cybercrime.

In addition to scam-related cases, the embassy reported handling 28 Indonesian deaths in Cambodia—an increase of 75 percent over the same period last year.

Police and hospital reports in Cambodia identified the leading causes of death as heart disease and stroke (11 cases, or 39 percent), followed by diabetes and kidney or liver failure (5 cases, or 18 percent), and cancer, epilepsy, dengue fever, and other internal illnesses (4 cases, or 14 percent).

Editor's Choice: Indonesia Responds to Migrant Worker's Death in Cambodia, Denies Organ Trafficking Claims

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Indonesia Responds to Migrant Worker's Death in Cambodia, Denies Organ Trafficking Claims

3 hari lalu

Indonesia Responds to Migrant Worker's Death in Cambodia, Denies Organ Trafficking Claims

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refutes the claim that Soleh Damawan, an Indonesian migrant worker from Bekasi, has become a victim of organ trafficking in Cambodia.

OJK Warns Indonesian Migrant Workers to Be Vigilant Against Fraud

3 hari lalu

OJK Warns Indonesian Migrant Workers to Be Vigilant Against Fraud

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) warns Indonesian migrant workers to be cautious of fraud.

Bekasi Resident Dies in Cambodia, Family Alleges Torture

7 hari lalu

Bekasi Resident Dies in Cambodia, Family Alleges Torture

Ikhwan Sahab, a resident of Babelan, Bekasi Regency, West Java, was reported to have died in Cambodia.

Why Did Xi Jinping Skip Indonesia on His Southeast Asia Visit? CSIS Explains

8 hari lalu

Why Did Xi Jinping Skip Indonesia on His Southeast Asia Visit? CSIS Explains

The three countries visited by Xi Jinping were Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Indonesia was not included in the list.

Indonesian Minister Addresses Death of Undocumented Migrant Worker in Cambodia

13 hari lalu

Indonesian Minister Addresses Death of Undocumented Migrant Worker in Cambodia

Amid social media organ trafficking rumors, Abdul Kadir says his side will assist even without an autopsy request from the migrant worker's family.

Nusantara Restaurants Flag Indonesian Online Gambling Workers in Cambodia

15 hari lalu

Nusantara Restaurants Flag Indonesian Online Gambling Workers in Cambodia

The area around the Trimulia Soho building in the city of Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia is filled with Indonesian youth employed by online gambling companies. Not only are there Indonesian workers, but the office complex is also populated by restaurants serving a variety of Indonesian dishes.

Gerindra's Muzani 'Not Sure' About Dasco's Alleged Ties to Cambodian Online Gambling Business

16 hari lalu

Gerindra's Muzani 'Not Sure' About Dasco's Alleged Ties to Cambodian Online Gambling Business

According to the Tempo magazine report on Sunday, April 6, 2025, the name Sufmi Dasco Ahmad was mentioned in relation to online gambling business in Cambodia.

The Half-hearted Battle Against Online Gambling

17 hari lalu

The Half-hearted Battle Against Online Gambling

The government has never been serious about eradicating online gambling. There are many ways to go after the gambling bosses.

Unpad Reports Instagram Account Hack to West Java Police

18 hari lalu

Unpad Reports Instagram Account Hack to West Java Police

Padjadjaran University, or Unpad, has reported the hacking of its official Instagram account with the username @universitaspadjadjaran, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, April 5, 2025, to the West Java Police.

Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariffs on 60 Countries, Indonesia Hit with 32% Rate

22 hari lalu