RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, reported an increase in the number of returning Indonesian citizens in trouble who were previously entangled in an online scam syndicate in the past week.

According to the press release, in the past week alone, 462 Indonesian citizens returned to Indonesia, purchasing tickets independently with assistance from the Indonesian Embassy. The peak number of returns occurred on February 22, 2026, with 131 people arriving simultaneously. Approximately one-third of them were previously accommodated in temporary facilities coordinated by the Indonesian Embassy and Cambodian authorities.

Some of the repatriated Indonesian citizens lacked official travel documents, so they were issued Travel Documents in Lieu of Passports (SPLP). Furthermore, almost all of them received assistance in applying for immigration fine relief from the local government.

Overall, from January 30 to February 22, 2026, the Indonesian Embassy facilitated the repatriation of 692 Indonesian citizens. This figure is estimated to be an underestimate, as not all Indonesian citizens reported their repatriation to the Indonesian embassy.

Upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Indonesian citizens underwent an inspection by a joint team of law enforcement officers. This process complemented the initial assessment previously conducted by the Indonesian Embassy to assess the level of involvement of each individual in online fraud networks.

Amid the surge in cases, the Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto, met with the Cambodian Minister of Home Affairs, Sar Sokha, on February 19, 2026. The meeting discussed strengthening cooperation to eradicate transnational crime, including online scam syndicates, and improving the protection mechanisms for Indonesian citizens.

From January 16 to February 22, 2026, a total of 4,725 Indonesian citizens reported directly to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh. This number represents 92 percent of the total number of reported cases throughout 2025, which reached 5,088 people, indicating a sharp escalation in early 2026.

The Indonesian Embassy predicts that requests for repatriation will continue to rise ahead of Eid al-Fitr. Increased issuance of SPLP (Issuance of Immigration Certificates) and approval of immigration fine waivers from Cambodian authorities are factors driving the acceleration of repatriation. ***