Foreign Ministry Asserts Efforts to Rescue 5 Indonesian Citizens Involved in Online Scam from Myanmar

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed on Wednesday that it’s currently handling the case of five Indonesian citizens working for an online scam business in Myanmar. The ministry cooperated with the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon and the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok to handle the case.

Hpalu, like Myawaddy, is a conflict area controlled by armed ethnic groups. Clashes often occur between the ethnic groups and the military junta that launched a coup against the Myanmar government in February 2021. 

Director of Citizen Protection Indonesian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha said the ministry has made several efforts to address the online scam amidst such situations, including sending a diplomatic note to the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We request that the Myanmar authorities take immediate and effective steps to rescue the five Indonesian citizens and to facilitate the Indonesian Embassy to coordinate with the police and immigration authorities in Naypyidaw. Because the Indonesian government understands that Myanmar authorities have limited reach into conflict areas," Judha told reporters, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

In addition to formal mechanisms, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperates virtually and directly with local community groups to rescue Indonesian citizens. They also provide continuous updates for the families of the five Indonesians in Myanmar. 

"The efforts are still constrained but we are striving to release the Indonesian citizens as soon as possible,” he said.

He urged Indonesian people to be wise in checking the validity of job vacancies, considering the rampant online scam cases. Based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs records, there have been 3,703 online scam cases from 2020 to March 2024. 

Online scam cases are spread across various Southeast Asian countries, including 1,914 in Cambodia, 1,302 in Myanmar, 680 in the Philippines, 364 in Thailand, 305 in Laos, 68 in Malaysia, and 36 in Vietnam, according to the Judha.

"With the increasing trend of these cases, we are urging the public to be cautious of various kinds of overseas job offers through social media," he said.

According to him, people must be wary when the company asks to go abroad without signing a contract in Indonesia, does not provide work visas from foreign embassies in Jakarta, and offers high salaries without requiring specific qualifications. 

Judha recommended cross-checking, checking the credibility of the company offering the job, and ensuring the process of working abroad follows established procedures set out by relevant ministries and agencies.

NABIILA AZZAHRA

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