Jakarta. Indonesia’s Embassy in Yangon confirmed that at least 48 Indonesian citizens were detained in a sweeping crackdown on online scam syndicates in Myanmar’s Kayin State this week, with diplomats warning that the total number of affected Indonesians could be far higher.

In a statement on Friday, the embassy said Myanmar authorities raided a major online fraud hub in Shwe Koko, about 11 kilometers from the border town of Myawaddy, late Monday night. The operation, part of a nationwide campaign against transnational crime networks, resulted in the arrest of 611 foreign nationals, including 48 Indonesians.

However, the Indonesian Embassy said new information from detainees suggests the real number of Indonesians caught in the operation may reach around 200. One detainee contacted the embassy on Thursday requesting immediate assistance and repatriation for the larger group.

Indonesian diplomats have begun coordinating directly with Myanmar authorities to secure consular access, verify identities, and assess the detainees’ condition. Embassy officials are also working with Indonesian community networks in Myawaddy to gather additional information.

“These efforts are being taken to confirm the identities of the Indonesians reported detained and to ensure their safety,” the embassy said.

The mission stressed that it would provide full protection for all affected citizens, facilitate repatriation where possible, and maintain close coordination with authorities in both countries. The embassy also urged Indonesians to be extremely cautious about overseas job offers promising high salaries without proper recruitment procedures.

Hundreds of Indonesians Trapped in Scam Compounds

The Shwe Koko raid is the latest development in a broader regional crisis involving criminal syndicates that operate online fraud centers in loosely governed or conflict-hit zones across Southeast Asia. 'Scam factories” have proliferated in areas such as Kayin State’s Shwe Koko and the notorious KK Park, where trafficked workers are forced to run online scams under threats of violence.

According to the embassy, it is currently handling cases involving hundreds of Indonesians believed to be trapped in such networks. These include the 48 detained in Shwe Koko, another 170 Indonesians awaiting relocation to safe sites by local authorities, and 54 former KK Park victims who have already been evacuated and cleared to leave Myanmar.

The embassy’s warning echoes findings from international NGOs and governments across the region, who report that many victims were lured by fake job ads on social media offering high-paying positions abroad. Once in Myanmar, they are typically held captive, forced to work long hours targeting victims online, and subjected to violence if they fail to meet quotas. The cases fall under trafficking in persons (TIP) crimes.

Indonesian officials say rescue efforts are complicated by the fact that many scam compounds operate in areas outside full control of Myanmar’s central government, particularly along the Thai–Myanmar border. 

The government also reminded the public that Southeast Asia’s criminal scam hubs remain active despite military claims of destruction. Satellite imagery and survivor testimonies show that several compounds, including Shwe Koko, continue operating in some capacity.

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