Landmark cybercrime law will clean up online scams in Cambodia says Justice Minister

Record ID: 2373187

  • Title: Landmark cybercrime law will clean up online scams in Cambodia says Justice Minister
  • Date: 3rd April 2026
  • Summary: KAMPOT PROVINCE, CAMBODIA (FILE - FEBRUARY 10, 2026) (REUTERS) 12 POLICE STANDING AND GUARDING THE SCAM CENTRE ROOM COUNTERFEIT UNITED STATES DOLLAR NOTE ON THE TABLE COMPUTER / DOCUMENTS LYING ON CHAIR NOTEBOOK WRITTEN IN THAI LANGUAGE SCAM CENTRE ROOM POSTER IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ON THE GATE OF THE SCAM CENTRE COMPOUND ENTRANCE TO THE SCAM CENTRE PHNOM PENH, CAM
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Cambodia Koeut crime law scam
  • Location: PHNOM PENH, KAMPOT PROVINCE, CAMBODIA
  • City: PHNOM PENH, KAMPOT PROVINCE, CAMBODIA
  • Country: Cambodia
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA002912001042026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Cambodia's parliament on Friday (April 3) passed the first law dedicated to targeting scam centres accused of cheating international victims out of billions of dollars, as pressure mounts on governments to tackle the illicit businesses.
    Justice Minister Keut Rith told a news conference in Phnom Penh that 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.
    Keut said the scam centres had impacted the economy, tourism and investment as well as the "dignity and pride of Cambodia.”
    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.
    Cambodia closed about 250 scam centres and 92 casinos in a crackdown on transnational fraud from earlier this year until now, a government official said during the same news conference. The same official added that 93 ringleaders are under court case and about 800 suspected scammers had been being detained.
    The moves come after widespread condemnation from rights groups, and sanctions and indictments by governments around the world, with Cambodia among the countries accused of being hotbeds of cyber scams.
    (Production: Chantha Lach)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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