Indonesia has repatriated 90 citizens who were working in an illegal online gambling hub in Myanmar, the country’s foreign ministry said. The repatriation effort follows a crackdown by Myanmar authorities on illicit online gambling operations and related criminal activity.
Indonesia: Myanmar Repatriations Ongoing
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated its Directorate for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens collaborated with Indonesian embassies in Yangon and Bangkok, Thailand, to arrange the repatriation orders, according to Indonesian media outlet Berita Buana.
The move comes after police and army units in Myanmar’s Myawaddy targeted online gambling operators and scam masterminds believed to be running illegal hubs. Officials report that hundreds of Indonesian migrant workers were discovered during the raids.
Indonesian officials are continuing efforts to repatriate an additional 230 citizens. The 90 repatriated citizens arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on January 22.
Myawaddy, in Kayin State, has become a known hotspot for cross-border criminal activity. Many Indonesians claim they were held at these hubs and forced to work against their will for gambling and scam operations.
In October, 20 Indonesians escaped a Myawaddy gambling complex days before a military raid, successfully crossing a river into Thailand, the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon confirmed.
The ministry will prioritize citizens who can independently cover the cost of their travel to Indonesia, while continuing to work towards the safe and coordinated return of all affected citizens.
This follows two previous repatriation efforts in December, which saw over 50 citizens return to Indonesia via Thailand each time.
The ministry reiterated warnings to prospective Indonesian migrant workers, urging them to adhere to official recruitment and travel procedures to avoid fraud, exploitation, or legal issues abroad.
“We will continue to monitor developments in Myanmar,” a ministry spokesperson said. “We are working to guarantee the safe, swift, and coordinated repatriation of all affected citizens.”
Casino Crackdown Continues
Indonesian police are also continuing to crack down on illegal online casinos within the country. Earlier this month, officers in the Arjosari District of Pacitan Regency, East Java, reported a man injured himself in an attempt to fake a violent robbery to cover up losses from online casino gambling.
The man reportedly cut his own hand with a knife and pawned his motorbike before falsely claiming he was robbed by bandits.
Officers determined the man had actually pawned his vehicle to a friend and lost the money on an illegal internet betting platform.
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