The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recorded 1,800 cases of illegal human trafficking of Indonesian migrant workers (Pekerja Migran Indonesia - PMI) between 2020 and 2023. It is known that 1,000 of them departed for Cambodia.

“We have recorded more than 1,800 cases related to online scamming in various countries since 2020. Most of them departed for Cambodia, accounting for around 1,000 of the 1,800 cases, which is already over 50 percent,” said the Functional Diplomat from the Directorate Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Rina Komaria, on May 5, 2023. 

Over 1,000 Indonesians sent abroad

Rina stated that the number of Indonesian migrant workers sent abroad illegally has increased by seven times, starting from 140 people in 2020 to 2021, then increased to 700 in 2021 to 2022, and finally reached 1,800 in 2023.

Moreover, she also mentioned that the human trafficking victims were mostly employed as online scammers and gamblers. 

This is in line with the statement from Migrant Care Executive Director Wahyu Susilo, that throughout 2022, the organization received complaints from 271 Indonesian citizens working in a number of countries, including Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Libya. 

Out of that number, 189 Indonesian citizens reported being victims of trafficking in person (TIP), or illegal recruitment and were then placed to work as online scammers and gamblers.

According to the report, 108 of these 89 Indonesians were from North Sumatra, 24 from West Java, 18 from Central Java, 14 from East Java, and 11 from West Kalimantan. Others were from the Riau Islands, Lampung, Banten, Jakarta, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Bali, Aceh, and the Bangka Belitung Islands.

Again, most of these PMI were placed in Cambodia, while others were placed in Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines.

Recruitment through online platforms

Wahyu also revealed that the majority of hiring is done via online platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and WhatApp, using the names and images of companies or recruiters that appear legitimate, and offering large salaries, housing, meals, sports facilities, commissions, and transportation fees. 

Wahyu explained that the victim’s education levels ranged from high school to university. It is suspected that the attractive salaries and the compatibility of information technology jobs were factors that roped in the victims. He also suspected that the victims had lost their jobs in Indonesia. 

Therefore, it is important for the government to take immediate action in real prevention and law enforcement related to the hiring practice from other countries to commit online fraud via social media and instant messaging apps. 

It is also needed to ensure that law enforcement against human trafficking reaches digital spaces and collaborates with the governments of other countries.