RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A humanitarian emergency is unfolding in Phnom Penh, where 2,277 Indonesian citizens have sought assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia between 16 and 24 January 2026, following a nationwide Cambodian crackdown on online scam operations.

According to the embassy, thousands of Indonesians arrived seeking immediate repatriation after law enforcement operations shut down scam centers in multiple regions, leaving many foreign workers without legal status. A significant number of those affected are believed to have been victims of human trafficking.

Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto said the embassy immediately began registering and assessing the cases to map the legal and immigration status of those affected.

“Some Indonesian citizens still have passports but no valid residency permits in Cambodia. Those without passports will be issued a Travel Document in Lieu of a Passport,” Ambassador Santo said on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

The surge marks an extraordinary escalation. Throughout 2025, the embassy handled 5,088 problematic cases, averaging 15 to 30 reports per day. Over the past week alone, however, daily complaints spiked to as many as 520 per day, overwhelming consular services.

Ambassador Santo urged Indonesians who still hold valid passports and visas to return home immediately, using their own resources to avoid further complications with immigration. He stressed that self-funded repatriation remains the fastest and safest option for those who meet the requirements.

For individuals facing documentation issues, the embassy is intensifying coordination with Cambodian authorities to expedite the issuance of exit permits and seek leniency on immigration penalties.

Additional support teams from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs have arrived in Phnom Penh to assist with data collection, case assessments, and the issuance of emergency travel documents.

While awaiting repatriation, many Indonesians are staying in guesthouses across Phnom Penh. The embassy has also set up temporary shelter facilities to ensure their safety and to centralize administrative processing, which officials say will help speed up documentation and case handling.

Santo warned citizens to remain alert to scams exploiting the situation, emphasizing that all embassy services related to the repatriation process are provided free of charge, except for the official fee for issuing emergency travel documents.

He also encouraged Indonesians to stay in close contact with their families to secure logistical and financial support for their return.

On January 24, the embassy recorded 122 new reports, a slight decline from the previous three days, when daily complaints averaged around 200. Despite the downward trend, the embassy remains on high alert as it continues to work with Cambodian authorities to ensure an orderly and safe return for those still stranded. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)