IOM Indonesia Supports the Repatriation of Online Scam Trafficking Victims

Jakarta, Indonesia — Human trafficking in Southeast Asia increasingly involves online scamming operations, particularly in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines. Victims from various countries are frequently deceived by fraudulent job offers and subsequently coerced into conducting online scams under harsh conditions, including physical violence, threats, and severe isolation.

Recently, a crackdown on trafficking operations in the border area in Myanmar resulted in more than 7,000 people from various countries requiring immediate assistance, including 554 Indonesians who became victims through deceptive online recruitment schemes. Challenges were encountered during the screening of such a large number of victims, highlighting the need for coordinated international support.

The Indonesian Government launched its humanitarian response for Indonesian victims, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the Coordinating Ministry of Politics and Security, with support from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the Indonesian National Police and Indonesian National Armed Forces, and Ministry of Immigration and Corrections and supported by International Organization for Migration. Today, two flights brought home the first 400 victims, with a final flight scheduled for March 19 carrying the remaining 154.

A press conference was held today to officially welcome and address the return of the first batch of Indonesian citizens repatriated as victims of human trafficking. Minister of Politics and Security Budy Gunawan stated, "During their time working for the online scamming syndicates, Indonesian victims faced intense pressure and physical violence, including beatings and electric shocks. They were also threatened with organ harvesting if they failed to meet the targets set by their captors."

Eny Rofiatul Ngazizah, Head of the IOM Counter Trafficking Unit, explained, "IOM provided specialized training sessions for Indonesian Embassy staff in Thailand in late February, enhancing their capacity to identify and support trafficking victims."

Additionally, IOM facilitated a temporary shelter for the returnees in Jakarta, closely collaborating with Indonesia’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Social Affairs to provide necessary care and follow-up assistance to support reintegration of the returning victims.