Fraudsters behind online scam operations in Cambodia could face life in prison under a new law approved by the Senate on Friday, as the government continues its crackdown on the multibillion-dollar industry it has vowed to wipe out.
The law, unanimously passed by parliament and awaiting the king’s sign-off, sets out penalties for tech-driven fraud, misuse of stolen personal data and organized crime networks, including those using trafficked labor, while holding companies accountable.
It also shields people forced or coerced into carrying out scams from criminal liability. Ringleaders of operations involving trafficking, detention or torture face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to two billion riel (about $500,000).
If their operations result in one or more deaths, scam bosses could face life sentences.
“The creation of this law is intended to close loopholes in the current laws, and it sends a clear message of the government’s political commitment not to retreat from combating online scams,” said Justice Minister Keuth Rith after the Senate approval.
He said the scam industry has threatened national security and social order, and damaged Cambodia’s reputation, hitting tourism, investment and the broader economy.
The country has emerged as a regional hotspot for criminal syndicates running online scams, including fake romance and cryptocurrency investment schemes, often operating from fortified compounds and relying on forced or coerced labor.
International pressure has mounted on Phnom Penh to dismantle the industry, which reportedly swindles more than $12.5 billion annually from victims worldwide.
Rith said the Law on Combating Online Scams aims to prevent these large-scale fraud operations from re-emerging.
Chhay Sinarith, chairman of the secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams, said authorities have shut down more than 250 scam centers, including 92 casinos, and arrested 800 ringleaders since July last year.
Analysts say the crackdown is the most significant to date but have called for stronger protections for thousands of trafficking victims who have fled compounds, as well as investigations into elites with alleged links to the industry.
After the Senate approval, Sinarith addressed an Amnesty International investigation released on Thursday that found layout plans for a dozen Cambodian casino complexes linked to online scams, human trafficking and torture were approved by the country’s gambling regulator between December 2025 and January.
He said authorities had noted the findings and were using them to guide ongoing investigations and enforcement efforts.
“In the past, we carried out crackdowns, but we did not take strict legal action against those involved, including masterminds, accomplices, conspirators, as well as victims who participated in these activities. They were only deported,” Sinarith said.
He said that under the new law, authorities intend to take stricter measures against scam operators, ensuring they are prosecuted in Cambodia before any deportation after serving their sentences.
Rith also highlighted provisions targeting the laundering of scam proceeds, which he said align with international standards.
“Previously, prosecuting money laundering required establishing the predicate offense and determining where the laundered funds originated. Under this new law, if an offense is suspected to involve online scams and the assets are considered proceeds of money laundering, anyone claiming ownership must provide evidence,” he said.
“If they cannot do so, the assets will be subject to legal action.”
He added that once the law comes into effect, authorities will be able to recover assets obtained through scam-related crimes.
