"We already have their identities in our pocket, and the investigation is still underway," Bareskrim's General Crimes Director Brigadier Gen. Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday.
The general remarked that the police has received reports from the victims' families, including those that were received through Bareskrim's reporting system.
"We are conducting an examination (in response to the reports)," he noted.
Based on the latest development, he affirmed that the Indonesian Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA), through its Directorate for Protections of Citizens, had forwarded the online scam case report to the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Yangon, Myanmar, to be addressed.
"The KBRI has sent a diplomatic note to Myanmar's Foreign Affairs Ministry and has been in close coordination with local authorities," he stated.
He said the embassy has also made contact with the victims, who were found to be unregistered in Myanmar's immigration traffic.
"They allegedly entered Myanmar through illegal ways," he pointed out.
General Puro further noted that the WNIs were detected in Myawaddy, a hot zone of the armed conflict between the Myanmar military (Tat Ma Daw) and Karen insurgent forces.
The Myanmar authority found it difficult to enter the area due to the given situation.
"They cannot enter the area, as it is under the insurgent forces' control," Puro noted.
Hence, the Myanmar Government has not been able to follow up on the reports from the Indonesian embassy, he stated.
Moreover, the police faced difficulties in reaching out to the victims. However, Puro stressed that the police had, indeed, followed up on the reports received from the victims' families.
Nevertheless, Puro made assurance to the victims' families by saying that the government, through the MFA, would continue to work towards getting the 20 nationals out from Myanmar.
"The MFA has been working in close coordination with a number of related parties to find a way to assist the victims," he remarked.
The parties, include the Regional Support Office BALI PROCESS in Bangkok, Thailand; International Organization for Migration (IOM); and International Justice Mission (IJM).
The police has also prepared several plans of measures to resolve the case, such as seeking data of the victims and their families, conducting investigation on human trafficking-related cases, and coordinating with the Directorate General of Immigration at the Law and Human Rights Ministry.
"We continue to communicate with the MFA and the KBRI for updates regarding the victims," he remarked.
"We are taking notes from these difficulties. However, we are convinced that there are no perfect crimes. It is our duty to resolve this case," Puro said which expressing belief that the case would be solved despite difficulties.
Related news: Indonesia to push stronger action against human trafficking
Related news: Agencies placing migrant workers illegally to get sanctioned: Ministry
Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
