Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted new legislation aimed at online scam operations, with penalties that can reach life in prison. The law follows government commitments to shut down scams and criminalize certain roles linked to “technology fraud.”

Cambodia has adopted new legislation intended to directly target online scam operations, with lawmakers approving the measure unanimously and setting potentially severe punishments, including terms that can extend to life imprisonment. The Associated Press report says the law is designed to address the evolving structure of fraud networks that use digital platforms to lure victims, coordinate criminal activity, and execute fraud schemes at scale. The government’s move follows prior commitments described in coverage to crack down on scam activities and to increase accountability across the networks that enable online fraud. While the details of enforcement were not exhaustively laid out in the summary, the report indicates the legislation focuses on criminalizing specific roles tied to “technology fraud,” aiming to capture not only end actors but also participants who support scam operations through online systems. The severity of the penalties suggests an intent to deter participation in organized digital fraud, including activities that may involve recruitment, technical enablement, or operational coordination. For authorities, the statute offers a clearer legal basis for investigations and prosecutions, particularly as scam operations increasingly rely on cross-border infrastructure and online communications. For victims, the legislation signals a more aggressive posture by Cambodian institutions and aligns with broader regional efforts to dismantle scam supply chains.