Indonesians Stranded After Escaping Scam Networks
Many Indonesian nationals who managed to break free from the cyberscam networks in Cambodia are now forced to live in tents in a public park in Phnom Penh as they look for help to return home.
Footage filmed on Saturday shows locals sitting in Wat Botum park opposite the Indonesian Embassy in the Cambodian capital.
Abi said his recruitment took place through a Facebook channel and promised a basic salary of 800 USD (694 EUR) per month.
“I was tempted by the offer and believed it, so I decided to come here,” he added. “But in reality, I only received 300 USD (260 EUR) a month.”
Abi shared that they were tasked with creating group chats and completing assignments related to Shopee, Jigsaw, and TikTok.
Accounts of Abuse and Exploitation
Another Indonesian citizen recalled that the company would make him stand for long periods or do push-ups if the job targets were not met, noting that the punishments became more aggressive over time.
“I was electrocuted, confined, handcuffed, tortured, and shortly after, sold again. The same happened in other companies. The methods were always similar,” he detailed.
In the case of Hasbi Al Huda, the fraudulent company had confiscated his visa, and when he reached out to the Indonesian Embassy, he was asked to follow the protocol.
“If I have money, I can buy a plane ticket and come back,” he pleaded.
Crackdown on Scam Compounds
It comes as Cambodian authorities have intensified their crackdown against scamming compounds across the country. According to a government estimate, around 300,000 people have left in recent months.
The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh said ‘record’ numbers of Indonesians working with these scam groups have been reaching out to the embassy.
“January 16-May 31, 2026: 10,151 Indonesian citizens reported to the Indonesian Embassy for repatriation to Indonesia,” it stated.
The crackdown has left many people stranded without official documents and money to buy return tickets or pay fines for overstaying.
Article by Viory
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