TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cambodian authorities arrested 339 Indonesian citizens in an operation targeting online scams across several provinces. The Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto, stated that initially they received information that the number of Indonesian citizens arrested was 271, but after further examination, the number increased to 339.
Santo also expressed regret over the uncooperative behavior of some Indonesian citizens during the initial questioning by local police. "This included falsifying their names and other information," said Santo when contacted by Tempo on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
However, Santo ensured that all the Indonesian citizens arrested in the operation were in safe and good condition under the supervision of local police. Santo stated that the hundreds of Indonesian citizens will undergo legal proceedings in Cambodia. They will be legally processed for various crimes related to online fraud, such as money laundering, job offer scams, and violent actions.
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Phnom Penh will support the law enforcement process carried out by the local authorities. They will also accompany the hundreds of Indonesian citizens caught in the operation. Santo stated that the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh will ensure that the Indonesian citizens receive their rights, including consular and clear legal information. "The Embassy will continue to coordinate with the Cambodian authorities for the follow-up," he said.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian authorities have been conducting operations to crack down on online scams since July 14, 2025. The operation was carried out in 15 provinces across Cambodia. A total of 2,780 people have been arrested since the operation, coming from various countries, including China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, South Korea, Pakistan, Indonesia, and others.
Earlier, Santo stated that a total of 2,585 cases involving the protection of Indonesian citizens had been handled by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Phnom Penh during the first half of 2025. This figure has more than doubled compared to the same period last year, with 1,265 cases.
"Of special concern, 83 percent of these cases are related to Indonesian citizens working with online fraud syndicates," said Santo in a statement posted on the Instagram account @indonesiainphnompenh on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Santo, based on his experience in protecting Indonesian citizens in Cambodia, stated that settling online fraud cases involving Indonesian citizens is the most complicated, dangerous, and time-consuming task. He also urged the public to be more cautious with job offers abroad. Santo urged the public not to be easily lured by job offers promising high salaries with simple requirements. "If you want to work abroad, let's be wiser and smarter," he said.
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