"Amidst ASEAN Summit, Thailand and Indonesia Urge for Protection from Online Scams in Cambodia", 6 September 2023

During the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Prime Minister Hun Manet met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo who urged for stronger protection of Indonesian citizens from the cyber crime industry.

Widodo and Manet discussed “strengthening cooperation in protecting Indonesian citizens…who have become victims of online scams or cyber fraud,” and Widodo “emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among law enforcement agencies,” Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated ...

From January to July this year there have been 515 cases “related to online scams” in Cambodia, the Indonesian government’s statement noted.

…, Indonesian authorities reported they rescued and repatriated 41 nationals who had been trapped in the online scam industry in Cambodia. But Cambodian authorities contradicted the Indonesian government’s statement, claiming the Indonesian nationals were not victims…

In response, Chou Bun Eng, Cambodia’s vice chairperson of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking in Persons, previously asked: “Where are they?”

… Deputy Thai National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn also reportedly sought help from Cambodian counterparts to handle the online scam industry when he met with newly appointed National Police Chief Sar Thet ...

The recently promoted Thet told … that there was no discussion with Hakparn related to the deaths of the three Thai people and instead said Hakparn came “to celebrate me.”…

Asked about the reported Thai triple murder and its alleged connection to online scam in Cambodia, “I don’t know if it is true or not; it depends on the Thai side,” Thet said…