Cambodia’s parliament has passed the country’s first dedicated cybercrime law targeting online scam centres, as international pressure mounts over large-scale fraud operations linked to the country. The law introduces prison terms and heavy fines for cyber-enabled fraud, money laundering, and related offences, and is part of a broader crackdown on organised scam networks operating from the country.
The legislation marks Cambodia’s first specific legal framework aimed at tackling online scam operations, which have been accused of defrauding victims worldwide of billions of dollars. Until now, authorities had relied on existing laws such as fraud, exploitation recruitment, and money laundering to prosecute offenders.
Justice Minister Keut Rith said the new law is intended to strengthen ongoing enforcement actions and prevent scam centres from re-emerging after crackdowns.
“This law is strict like the fishing net, strict to ensure we don’t have the online scams anymore in Cambodia, strict in order to serve the interest of the Cambodian nation and people,” he told reporters, adding that the issue had also affected the country’s economy, tourism and investment.
The law will be sent to the country’s monarch for final approval before it comes into force.
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Penalties and Legal Provisions
Under the new law, individuals convicted of online scams face prison sentences ranging from two to five years and fines of up to $125,000. In cases involving organised crime groups or scams affecting multiple victims, penalties can increase to up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.
The legislation also criminalises related activities such as money laundering, collecting victims’ personal data, and recruiting individuals to participate in scam operations.
International Pressure and Crackdown Efforts
The passage of the law comes amid growing international scrutiny, sanctions, and indictments linked to cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia, with Cambodia frequently identified as a major hub for such activities.
Authorities say the latest enforcement campaign is broader in scope than previous efforts, focusing on shutting down hundreds of scam sites and targeting senior figures linked to organised cybercrime networks. Recent extraditions and enforcement actions are part of this wider crackdown.
For years, the government had been criticised for downplaying the scale of scam compounds, but officials now say the new law will support long-term enforcement and help dismantle organised fraud networks operating from the country.
Broader Cybercrime and Human Exploitation Concerns
Online scam centres in the region are often linked to fraudulent investment schemes and romance scams targeting victims globally. Reports have also highlighted that many workers in these centres were recruited through fake job offers and forced to work in scam operations under coercive conditions.
The new cybercrime law is therefore seen as part of a wider effort not only to tackle financial fraud but also to address organised criminal networks involved in cybercrime-related exploitation.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
