RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has recorded a sharp rise in the number of Indonesian nationals seeking assistance to return home after being allged of involvement in online scam networks in Cambodia.

Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the embassy, Krishnajie, said requests for repatriation facilitation are increasing daily.

“The number of Indonesians applying for repatriation continues to grow each day,” Krishnajie noted in a press release from Jakarta on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He urged those who already hold Travel Document in Lieu of Passport (SPLP) and have received approval for overstay fine waivers to immediately purchase tickets and return to Indonesia.

“We call on Indonesians whose documents are complete and who have obtained overstay fine waivers to return promptly, so that the handling process for others can proceed more effectively,” he said.

Krishnajie also warned that Cambodian authorities are becoming increasingly strict toward foreigners suspected of engaging in online fraud.

“The embassy reminds Indonesians still attempting online scam activities in Cambodia to abandon such intentions and comply with local regulations, or risk facing more serious legal consequences,” he stressed.

Embassy data show a significant surge in cases this year, with 10,151 Indonesians reporting between January 16 and May 31, 2026 to seek repatriation assistance.

The figure far exceeds last year’s total of 5,088 cases. In just the first five months of 2026, the number of cases reached 10,287, more than double the entire tally for 2025.

Hundreds of Indonesians have also been detained during raids at suspected scam centers and are awaiting deportation.

Currently, around 400 Indonesians remain in detention facilities across Cambodia. Many face delays in repatriation because they lack passports and must resolve substantial overstay fines.

The embassy is working to issue SPLPs, verify identities, and coordinate with Cambodian authorities to secure fine waivers.

While awaiting these processes, the embassy has provided selective temporary shelter for those facing economic hardship.

However, the surge in requests has pushed available capacity to its limits, leaving many to support themselves independently while waiting for documentation and repatriation.

Despite ongoing efforts, the pace of repatriation has not kept up with the rising number of new cases. Between late January and May 31, 3,879 Indonesians were repatriated, while 5,950 received overstay fine waivers from Cambodian authorities.

This situation underscores both the scale of the challenge and the urgency of coordinated action to protect Indonesian nationals abroad. ***