Cambodian parliament passes landmark cybercrime law after scam centre scrutiny

Cambodia's parliament passes a strict cybercrime law targeting online scams, imposing harsh penalties to combat fraudulent activities.

Cambodia’s parliament on Friday (April 3, 2026) passed the first law dedicated to targeting scam centres accused of bilking ​international victims out of billions of dollars, as pressure mounts on governments to ‌tackle the illicit businesses.

Justice Minister Keut Rith said the law ​aimed to enhance the “cleaning operation” taking place across ⁠the country, as well as to ensure the centres do not return after the crackdown.

“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 the problem had also impacted ‌the economy, ⁠tourism and investment.

The new law will eventually go ⁠to Cambodia’s king for final signature.

It lays out punishments of two to five years in prison and fines of up to $125,000 for those convicted of online scams.

Sentences for ​those convicted of scams conducted ‌by gangs or against many victims can be up to 10 years in prison and as much as $250,000 in fines. It also outlines penalties for those convicted of money laundering, gathering victims’ data, ‌or recruiting scammers.