JAKARTA - Cambodia has approved overstay fine waivers for another 1,273 Indonesian citizens, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 5,950, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh said in a May 23 release. 

The embassy said the beneficiaries were among foreign nationals affected by Cambodian enforcement against online scam operations that have intensified since early 2026. Cambodian authorities have set June 15 as the deadline for Indonesians who have received travel documents or waiver approvals to leave the country.

The waiver removes immigration penalties that had become a barrier for citizens who wanted to return to Indonesia but lacked valid passports, enough money for return tickets, or the ability to pay accumulated overstay fines.

The embassy said 9,537 Indonesians had reported their situation and requested assistance from KBRI Phnom Penh between mid-January and May 22. By May 22, the embassy had facilitated the return of 3,630 Indonesians to Indonesia. 

Acting Chargé d’Affaires Krishnajie said, “KBRI Phnom Penh continues to facilitate overstay fine waivers as a form of support from the Cambodian Government to accelerate the return of Indonesian citizens.” He also urged Indonesians who had obtained travel documents or waiver approvals to leave Cambodia and return to Indonesia immediately.

The latest waiver follows a rapid rise in consular cases linked to Indonesians leaving or being removed from online scam networks in Cambodia. Earlier official embassy updates show the caseload had already passed 8,000 people by May 5, after previous releases recorded 3,159 facilitated returns by April 19 and 1,816 returns by March 9. 

The Royal Government of Cambodia said through its Press and Quick Reaction Unit that it established the Commission for Combatting Online Scams on February 20, 2025 to prevent, suppress and crack down on online scams. The Cambodian statement said cybercrime requires cooperation among governments because of its transnational nature. 

Indonesian embassy releases this year have described the affected group as Indonesians formerly linked to online scam syndicates or citizens seeking help after leaving such networks. 

Back in February, KBRI Phnom Penh said it had requested Cambodian authorities to ease immigration fines for nearly 800 Indonesians and had issued more than 800 temporary travel documents for citizens without passports.