From victim to perpetrator, 27-year-old Indonesian allegedly lured others into online scam trap
An Indonesian man who was repatriated from Myanmar as a human trafficking victim has been named a suspect for allegedly recruiting others into the same online scam network.
Between February and March 2025, Indonesian authorities repatriated 699 citizens who were trafficked to Myanmar and forced into online scams. Many were lured with fake job offers in Thailand, only to be exploited in conflict areas like Myawaddy.
HR Named as Suspect in Trafficking Probe
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) confirmed on March 21 that HR, a 27-year-old private employee from Bangka Belitung, has been named a suspect in a human trafficking case linked to online scams in Myanmar. He was part of the third batch of returnees repatriated on March 18.According to Police Brigadier General Nurul Azizah, HR lured victims by advertising customer service jobs in Thailand with promises of salaries between IDR 10 to 15 million (SGD 830 to 1,245). In reality, victims were sent to Myanmar and forced to operate scam centers without receiving the promised pay.
Scam Syndicate Recruitment Through Social Media
Investigations revealed that HR and others used platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram to target jobseekers. Many were deceived into believing their documents, travel expenses, and accommodations would be fully covered. Once in Myanmar, victims were made to meet scam quotas or face physical punishment, salary deductions, or threats.
Five Trafficking Networks Identified
Police assessments at the Ministry of Social Affairs shelter and Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory found five separate recruiter groups linked to the syndicate. HR is the first to be charged, but others identified by initials BR, EL alias AW, RI, and HRR remain under investigation. A total of 116 victims were found to have worked in scam operations multiple times.
Batch-by-Batch Repatriation from Myanmar
The Indonesian government coordinated four repatriation waves of victims through Thailand. The first batch, on February 22, 2025, brought home 46 citizens. The second group, comprising 84 people, returned on February 28. The third, and largest, repatriation occurred on March 18 with 400 returnees, followed by the fourth batch of 169 on March 19. All individuals were processed and assessed to identify perpetrators among the victims.
Polri has filed three police reports to pursue legal action. HR faces charges under Law No. 21/2007 on Human Trafficking and/or Law No. 18/2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years and fines up to IDR 600 million (SGD 49,800).
Authorities urge the public to avoid overseas job offers that bypass official procedures. “Ensure your migration process is legal and verified by authorized institutions,” said Brig. Gen. Nurul. The police are committed to tracking down the masterminds and dismantling the syndicate responsible for exploiting hundreds of Indonesians.
This case reveals the complex layers of human trafficking, where victims can also become perpetrators. As Indonesia strengthens protections for migrant workers, regional cooperation will be crucial to dismantling transnational scam networks that thrive on vulnerable jobseekers.
Sources: Detik.com (2025), Metro Batam (2025)
Keywords: Human Trafficking Myanmar, Indonesian Recruits, Online Scam Syndicate, Labor Exploitation
