Interpol-Wanted Indonesian Arrested in Bali Over Cambodia Labor Smuggling
Jakarta. Indonesian police have arrested Rifaldo Aquiono Pontoh, an Indonesian national wanted by Interpol, over his alleged role in a human trafficking and online fraud network operating in Cambodia.
Rifaldo was detained upon arrival at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Saturday, following intelligence shared by Philippine authorities, said Ricky Purnama, head of Indonesia’s transnational crime division.
Police said Rifaldo used social media to advertise high-paying overseas jobs, luring Indonesians into illegal employment schemes. Instead, victims were allegedly forced to work in conditions resembling modern slavery, with many subjected to severe abuse.
“Their passports were confiscated, wages were withheld, and those who tried to resign or return to Indonesia were required to pay extremely high fees,” Ricky said.
The Interpol's National Central Bureau in Manila alerted police on Friday that Rifaldo was traveling from Cambodia to the Philippines before continuing on to Bali. Authorities then coordinated with immigration officials to intercept him on arrival.
The arrest comes as Indonesia is in the process of repatriating more than 3,500 of its citizens from Cambodia, many suspected of working illegally or being drawn into cybercrime syndicates.
Indonesia’s embassy in Phnom Penh said it is coordinating with police to screen all returnees to determine whether they were victims of trafficking or participants in criminal operations.
Indonesian authorities have pledged to pursue firm legal action against human traffickers and cybercrime networks, amid growing regional concern over scam compounds that exploit migrant workers across Southeast Asia.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
Police Bust Rp 25 Billion Cybercrime Ring in FBI-Backed Operation
Indonesia and FBI dismantle phishing syndicate, arrest two suspects and seize Rp 4.5 billion in assets.Interpol-Wanted Indonesian Arrested in Bali Over Cambodia Labor Smuggling
Indonesia arrests an Interpol fugitive accused of smuggling workers to Cambodia, where victims were forced into scam operations.Indonesia Busts International Syndicate Smuggling Chinese Nationals to Australia
Indonesia has dismantled an international syndicate that used Papua’s remote borders to smuggle Chinese nationals to Australia.The Latest
Dear Mr. President, Don’t Skip ASEAN Summits
Despite calls for Prabowo to stay home, the Indonesian leader still needs to attend ASEAN summits.PLN Rushes Coal Supplies After Power Outages Hit Java
PLN is rushing to secure coal supplies after shortages triggered rolling blackouts across Java, disrupting businesses and daily life.Japan-Backed ADB Invests in Indonesia’s Human Capital
As many as 399 Indonesian awardees have joined the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program from 1988 to 2024.Indonesian Stocks Rise Despite Foreign Outflows as MSCI Review Looms
Indonesia's JCI rose 2.8% as easing geopolitical tensions offset foreign outflows, MSCI concerns and rupiah pressures.World Cup 2026: Paraguay Holds Off Turkey With 10 Men to Keep Knockout Hopes Alive
Matias Galarza scored after 65 seconds as 10-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0, eliminating the Turks and securing first place for the US.Most Popular
