Cambodia Targets Online Scam Centers with New Legislation

Cambodia is intensifying its efforts to dismantle the widespread network of online scam centers operating within its borders, recently drafting its first law specifically targeting these criminal enterprises. This move follows a commitment to shut down all such centers by the conclude of April, addressing a problem that has damaged the nation’s reputation and economy.

The Scale of the Problem

Cambodia has develop into a major hub for scam operations that defraud victims globally through bogus investment schemes and fabricated romantic relationships. These scams are estimated to cheat victims out of tens of billions of dollars annually. Simultaneously, thousands of individuals, particularly from other Asian countries, have been lured to Cambodia with false job promises, only to be forced to operate in these scam centers under exploitative, near-slavery conditions.

New Legislation and Penalties

The newly approved legislation, awaiting parliamentary approval, establishes stringent penalties for those involved in operating online scam centers. Individuals organizing or directing a technology fraud site face 5 to 10 years in prison and fines ranging from 500 million to 1 billion riels (approximately $125,000 to $250,000). Penalties escalate significantly in cases involving human trafficking, violence, detention, or confinement, carrying sentences of 10 to 20 years plus fines of up to 2 billion riels ($500,000). If a death is linked to a scam center, the offense is punishable by 15 to 30 years imprisonment, or even life in prison.

Government Crackdown and Repatriation Efforts

Since July, the Cambodian government has targeted 250 locations suspected of hosting online scams, successfully shutting down approximately 200 of them. As of March 11, 2026, 79 cases have been filed involving 697 alleged scam ringleaders and their associates. The government has also prioritized the repatriation of victims, having already assisted nearly 10,000 scam center workers from 23 countries in returning home, with fewer than 1,000 still awaiting repatriation.

Addressing Systemic Issues

Information Minister Neth Pheaktra emphasized the government’s commitment to combating online scams to protect Cambodia’s reputation and economy, clarifying that the government does not benefit financially from these activities. However, experts like Jacob Sims, a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University’s Asia Center, caution that simply shutting down physical locations may not be enough. Sims points out that previous crackdowns have often failed to dismantle the underlying financial and protection networks that allow these operations to quickly re-establish themselves. He suggests that the current effort’s success hinges on whether it targets the entire system enabling the industry, not just the visible scam centers.

Looking Ahead

Whereas Cambodia’s new legislation and intensified crackdown represent a significant step forward, the long-term effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. Continued vigilance and a comprehensive approach targeting the financial and protective infrastructure supporting these criminal enterprises will be crucial to eradicating online scams in Cambodia.