Cambodia waives overstay fines for 4,677 Indonesians

Kiripost

Cambodia has waived overstay fines for nearly 4,700 Indonesians as part of a major repatriation drive aimed at tackling online scam networks operating inside the country.

The Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed that 4,677 of its citizens have now been granted exemptions from the $10‑per‑day penalty, with authorities urging them to buy tickets and return home by the end of April. The embassy said the policy has accelerated the repatriation process, cutting what would normally take six months down to weeks.

Crowds of Indonesians have gathered outside the embassy in recent days, seeking assistance as Cambodia intensifies its crackdown on online fraud. Since mid‑January, almost 6,900 Indonesians linked to scam syndicates have reported to the mission, with more than 3,100 already repatriated.

The move comes after Cambodia introduced tough new legislation on 7 April to combat technology‑based scams. Offenders now face severe penalties, including life imprisonment, fines of up to two billion riel (around $500,000), and confiscation of assets.

Phnom Penh has pledged to eliminate online scams nationwide, targeting 14 districts by the end of March and continuing raids into April.

Governor Khuong Sreng has vowed to keep up enforcement efforts, saying the capital could be cleared of scam centres within two months. The campaign reflects growing concern over the scale of fraud operations, which have drawn thousands of foreign workers into exploitative schemes.

For Indonesia, the waivers are a lifeline for citizens caught up in the crisis. Embassy officials say they will continue to push for rapid repatriation, stressing that the priority is to get people home safely and out of the reach of criminal networks.

The episode highlights the regional dimension of online scams, with Cambodia under pressure to show it can dismantle syndicates that have tarnished its reputation and strained diplomatic ties. For the thousands of Indonesians now preparing to leave, the waivers mark the first step towards returning to normal life.

-2026-04-22