Tangerang Seeks Legal Aid for Citizen Detained in Cambodia
- 17 Sep 2026 01:13 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Tangerang Regency has asked the Foreign Ministry to provide legal and consular assistance to a resident detained in Cambodia over alleged involvement in an online scam network.
- Officials are also strengthening efforts to prevent illegal overseas recruitment and human trafficking through social media.
RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang - The Tangerang Regency Administration in Banten Province is pushing for urgent diplomatic protection and legal assistance for an Indonesian national currently held in Cambodian detention over suspected online scam operations.
The detainee, identified as Muhamad Nikola Dewantara from Wanakerta Village in Sindang Jaya Subdistrict, was arrested during a Cambodian law enforcement operation targeting online fraud networks. According to Head of Tangerang Regency Manpower Agency Rudi Lesmana, official departure chronologies show Nikola left Indonesia illegally in April 2026 via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, traveling through Malaysia and Vietnam before entering Cambodia.
Nikola had accepted an unverified job offer posted on Telegram promising a high-salary restaurant position, but was detained one month after arrival. Local authorities currently hold him under allegations of serving as a supervisory figure within the scam facility.
Speaking in Tangerang on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Deputy Regent Intan Nurul Hikmah confirmed that regional authorities have formally written to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure consular representation and legal counsel. Municipal authorities are also collaborating with local law enforcement, the police, and prosecutors to crack down on illegal recruitment networks operating on social media platforms.
"I believe the step taken by the Head of the Tangerang Regency Manpower Agency in sending a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is appropriate, we hope the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesia's representatives in Cambodia immediately follow up on this issue so that Nikola receives legal assistance regarding the allegations of his involvement in an online scam network," Intan said in Tangerang on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 as reported by Antara.
She highlighted ongoing public awareness initiatives aimed at combating illegal job offers advertised online. "Our efforts to raise awareness regarding human trafficking and overseas employment are regularly conducted by the Regency Administration and law enforcement officers," Intan explained.
"Of course, the Regency Administration collaborates with law enforcement, including the police and prosecutors, to act against parties involved in alleged online scams in accordance with statutory regulations," she added.
Head of Tangerang Regency Manpower Agency Rudi Lesmana said that based on reports, only one Indonesian national is currently detained there under suspicion of being part of a scam network. "He remains in detention and cannot yet return to Indonesia because local police suspect him of being a leader or supervisor at the job placement site linked to the online scam network," Rudi said. ***
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