Cambodia’s National Assembly has unanimously approved a new law targeting telecom and online fraud, aiming to curb illegal operations and strengthen enforcement across the country. The legislation passed on March 30, with all 112 lawmakers voting in favor during a plenary session chaired by Khuon Sudary.
Key Features of the Law
- Life imprisonment is possible for the most serious offenses.
- Organizing or operating telecom fraud centers carries 5–10 years in prison.
- Cases involving aggravating factors such as illegal detention, extortion, or murder can result in 30 years to life imprisonment.
- The law holds recruiters, trainers, and property owners liable if they facilitate fraud operations, even if landlords claim ignorance.
Purpose and Enforcement
The legislation, previously approved by the cabinet on March 13, is Cambodia’s first dedicated criminal law addressing telecom fraud. Authorities aim to:
- Prevent the re-emergence of telecom scams
- Institutionalize anti-fraud measures
- Strengthen cross-border enforcement
Chhay Sinarith, senior minister in charge of special missions and head of the Secretariat for the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), described the law as the strictest criminal framework of its kind in Cambodia, providing a strong foundation for ongoing efforts to eliminate telecom fraud.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Koeut Rith emphasized that the law introduces strict penalties and reinforces Cambodia’s commitment to protecting citizens and the economy from telecom and online fraud.
This move places Cambodia among the first countries in the region to adopt a comprehensive criminal framework specifically targeting telecom scams, signaling a tougher stance on cybercrime.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief (AGB)
