Indonesian Citizen Cases in Cambodia Increase Sharply in Early 2025

INDUSTRY.co.id - Phnom Penh, 21 March 2025 – In January-February 2025, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has handled 841 cases of Indonesian citizens, either walk-ins, via hotline, or upon notification from Cambodian authorities. This record number is more than three times higher than the same period last year.

Most of the cases—around 75%—were related to the involvement of Indonesian citizens in online scams. Usually, Indonesian citizens who work as scammers are lured by easy jobs, with low qualifications, but fantastic pay.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Dr. Santo Darmosumarto, said that the Indonesian Embassy will continue to coordinate with relevant parties in Cambodia and in the country to follow up on this spike in cases. At the same time, Indonesian citizens are expected to be more careful and report themselves, so that their presence in Cambodia can be monitored by the Indonesian Embassy.

This spike in cases is of particular concern, both to the Indonesian Embassy and the Cambodian Government, considering the increasing trend in the last 5 years. "In 2020, the Indonesian Embassy only handled 56 cases of Indonesian citizens. However, in 2024 the number increased drastically to 3,310 cases. This means there has been an increase of more than 60 times," explained Ambassador Santo.

In the future, it is predicted that this number will continue to increase, along with the increasing number of Indonesian citizens living in Cambodia. In 2024, the Cambodian Government verified that there were more than 131 thousand Indonesian citizens living in Cambodia legally. The concentration of Indonesian citizens is in the cities of Sihanoukville, Poipet, Chrey Thum, Bavet, and Phnom Penh.

Ambassador Santo, on various occasions, including through social media, appealed to Indonesian citizens to be more vigilant about job offers abroad that do not require skills or qualifications, but promise high salaries. "If it's too good to be true, IT IS too good to be true. Don't be too gullible," said Ambassador Santo.

Especially for Indonesian citizens who are in the process of being protected by the Indonesian Embassy and local authorities or in the process of returning home, Ambassador Santo appealed not to be easily tempted by parties who offer a fast track to return to Indonesia by asking for a fee. "It is very unfortunate that there are individuals who use the name of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh to deceive fellow Indonesian citizens who are in the process of returning home," he said.

For Indonesian citizens who need assistance, immediately contact the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh via the Indonesian Citizen Protection hotline at +855 12 813 282 or come directly to the Indonesian Embassy.

The Indonesian Ambassador reminded Indonesian citizens who have been repatriated not to return to Cambodia. "We have found several cases where Indonesian citizens who we have helped return home have actually returned to work in Cambodia. They have become 'recurring victims'. This makes efforts to resolve cases increasingly complicated and lengthy," he added.