INDONESIAN NATIONAL REPATRIATED FROM MYANMAR NAMED HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUSPECT

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, March 25 (Bernama) -- An Indonesian national repatriated from Myanmar has been named a suspect in a human trafficking case, according to the police’s Criminal Investigation Agency.

The suspect, a 27-year-old private sector employee, identified as HR, is among 699 Indonesian citizens brought back via Thailand in stages since February.

Police believe he acted as a recruiter, luring victims with promises of high-paying customer service jobs in Thailand, only for them to be trafficked to Myawaddy, Myanmar, where they were forced to work as online scammers.

“The method used was to offer high salaries and luxurious facilities through social media. In reality, the victims were forced into online fraud and denied their promised rights,” said Director of the Women and Children’s Crime and Human Trafficking Unit, Brigadier General Nurul Azizah in a statement.

Victims were recruited through Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram, with offers of salaries ranging from IDR 10 million (about US$630) to IDR 15 million (around US$950), along with covered travel expenses.

Once in Myanmar, they were forced to gather phone numbers of potential scam targets and those who failed to meet quotas faced verbal and physical abuse, as well as salary deductions, she added.

Police have also launched investigations into five additional individuals suspected of trafficking, with three police reports filed as the basis for further legal action.

Meanwhile, the suspect, HR, faces charges under Indonesia’s human trafficking and migrant worker protection laws, with a potential prison sentence of three to 15 years and fines of up to IDR 600 million (around US$38,000) if convicted.

Authorities have urged Indonesians to be wary of overseas job offers that promise high salaries but lack proper legal documentation.

“Always verify your job placement with official authorities. Don’t fall for tempting offers that could lead to exploitation,” Nurul Azizah warned.

Indonesia has been working to repatriate its citizens from Myanmar, where many have been trapped in forced labour operations linked to online scams.

-- BERNAMA