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Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia sees surge in online scam victims, fatalities
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Indonesian nationals who had worked at scam centres in Myanmar disembark their aircraft upon arrival from Thailand at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on March 18. (AFP/Tatan Syuflana)
T
he Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has reported a significant increase in cases involving Indonesian nationals in Cambodia during the first three months of this year, surpassing 1,300, with most cases linked to online scams.
Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto stated in a press briefing on Thursday that many Indonesians continue to fall victim to fraudulent job offers promising high salaries and attractive benefits with minimal requirements.
“Improving education and digital literacy is crucial to protecting our citizens from such online scams, which have already harmed many individuals,” Santo said to Kompas.com.
He went on to say that 28 Indonesian nationals have died in Cambodia so far this year, marking a 75 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Additionally, 92 Indonesians passed away in Cambodia throughout 2023, a stark contrast to just one death recorded in 2020.
“According to reports from local police and hospitals, the leading causes of death among Indonesian nationals this year include heart disease and stroke, with 11 cases, followed by diabetes and kidney failure, with 5 cases,” the ambassador stated, pledging to enhance coordination with relevant agencies to reduce the number of victims of human trafficking.
Read also: 'Modern slavery': Indonesians in clutches of scam syndicates
The most recent fatalities involving Indonesian nationals in Cambodia include Ihwan Sahab from Bekasi, West Java, who was found critically injured on the side of the road by local authorities and later died at a nearby hospital on April 14.
