Indonesia evacuates 3,600 citizens from Cambodia amid scam crackdown

Prachachat•International•12h ago

Reader Briefing

Indonesia is repatriating nearly 3,600 citizens from Cambodia in a chartered flight operation following a Cambodian crackdown on online gambling and fraud rings.

•Indonesia is chartering multiple flights to repatriate approximately 3,600 citizens from Cambodia due to a crackdown on scam operations.
•Cambodian authorities launched a 'bill-collecting' operation targeting online gambling and cross-border fraud in early 2026.
•The repatriation effort began after Cambodian authorities intensified measures against cybercrime networks disguised as online casinos and scam centers.
•During January 16-20, over 1,400 Indonesians sought refuge at the Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh.
•Since February 1, Cambodian immigration has deported over 3,375 foreigners from 9 nationalities, including Chinese, South Koreans, Japanese, Americans, and Thais.

Overview

•Early 2026, Cambodian authorities launched a major operation against online gambling and cross-border fraud rings.
•The Cambodian operation targets cybercrime networks disguised as online casinos and scam centers, often using foreign labor.
•The Indonesian government decided to charter multiple flights to quickly evacuate its citizens from Cambodia.
•Nearly 3,600 Indonesian citizens are being repatriated from Cambodia.
•Between January 16 and January 20, over 1,400 Indonesians sought assistance from the Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh.
•Since February 1, Cambodian immigration has reported deporting over 3,375 foreigners from 9 nationalities.
•Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto confirmed that the repatriated Indonesians are not victims of human trafficking.
•Returning individuals will undergo thorough screening by Indonesian security agencies and will face legal action if linked to scam operations.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Santo Darmosumarto

"The embassy will closely coordinate with law enforcement agencies in Indonesia to ensure that those involved in criminal activities are investigated and punished immediately upon returning home."

ทางสถานทูตจะประสานงานกับหน่วยงานบังคับใช้กฎหมายในอินโดนีเซียอย่างใกล้ชิด เพื่อให้มั่นใจว่าผู้ที่มีส่วนเกี่ยวข้องกับอาชญากรรมจะถูกสอบสวนและรับโทษทันทีที่ถึงบ้านเกิด

Key Entities

Organization

Indonesian Government(รัฐบาลอินโดนีเซีย)ℹ️

The government orchestrating the repatriation of its citizens from Cambodia.

Embassy of Indonesia in Phnom Penh(สถานเอกอัครราชทูตอินโดนีเซีย ณ กรุงพนมเปญ)

The diplomatic mission in Cambodia that reported an increase in Indonesians seeking assistance.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)(องค์การระหว่างประเทศเพื่อการโยกย้ายถิ่นฐาน (IOM))ℹ️

An international organization that collaborated with the Indonesian embassy regarding the status of Indonesian citizens.

Security Agencies(หน่วยงานความมั่นคง)

Indonesian security bodies responsible for screening repatriated citizens upon arrival.

National Agency for the Protection and Placement of Indonesian Overseas Workers (BP2MI)(หน่วยงานคุ้มครองแรงงานข้ามชาติ (BP2MI))

The Indonesian agency that directed the special measure of chartering flights for repatriation.

Phnom Penh Ministry of Justice(กระทรวงยุติธรรมพนมเปญ)

The Cambodian ministry whose statistics show the number of foreigners deported from Cambodia.

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

The location where Indonesian citizens were operating in scam rings and are now being repatriated from.

South Korea(เกาหลีใต้)ℹ️

Another country affected by scam operations, having recently received its citizens back.

Timeline

2026

The year the Cambodian crackdown on scam operations began.

January 16 to 20(16 ถึง 20 มกราคม)

The period during which over 1,400 Indonesians sought refuge at the Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh.

February 1(1 กุมภาพันธ์)

The start date for updated reports from the Cambodian Immigration Department on foreign deportations.

March 4(4 มีนาคม)

The anticipated end date for the ongoing repatriation process.

Early 2026(ต้นปี 2026)

The timeframe when Cambodia intensified its operations against online gambling and fraud.

Person

Santo Darmosumarto(นายซานโต ดาร์โมซูมาร์โต)

Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia who confirmed that the repatriated individuals are not human trafficking victims.