VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Indonesian Legal Entities (PWNI and BHI) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, said that there were 53 Indonesian citizens who were currently victims of fraud by fake investment companies in Cambodia.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Pnom Penh has received information about 53 Indonesian citizens who were reported to be victims of fraud by a fake investment company in Sihanoukville, Cambodia," said Judha Nugraha in an official statement quoted on Thursday (28/07/2022).

According to Judha, the Indonesian government has asked the local police for assistance.

"The Indonesian Embassy has contacted the Cambodian Police to request assistance for release while continuing to maintain communication with the Indonesian citizens. Currently, the Cambodian Police are taking steps to handle it," he said.

Although it is being investigated by the local police, based on previous cases, Indonesian citizens who were deceived were forced to work to carry out scams or fraud.

"Based on the modus operandi of the previous cases, they were asked to do scamming for the purpose of false investment. The target for scamming is mostly Indonesian people," he said.

Cases of fraud in fake investment companies are increasingly common, due to the rise of job offers in Cambodia through social media.

In 2021, the Indonesian Embassy in Pnom Penh has successfully handled and repatriated 119 Indonesian citizens who were victims of fake investments.

"However, in 2022, similar cases have actually increased where until July 2022, there were 291 Indonesian citizens who became victims. 133 of them have been successfully repatriated," he said, adding.

To reduce the number of cases, the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit has facilitated investigators to conduct investigations in Cambodia.

Of the Indonesian citizens who have been released, the Indonesian Embassy has also obtained information about recruiters, most of whom are still from Indonesia.

This information continues to be submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department, to be investigated more deeply in order to take action against recruiters.

"Various socialization measures have also been increased so that people are aware of the fraudulent modes of job vacancies in Cambodia," he said, continuing. (RRI)