Cambodia’s parliament has passed a landmark cybercrime law targeting scam compounds, including those utilizing cryptocurrency. The bill, unanimously approved by the Senate, imposes prison sentences of two to five years and fines up to $125,000 for these crimes. This legislative action follows international scrutiny over large-scale scam operations in the region.
Cambodia’s Senate unanimously approved a draft law targeting scam compounds, including those involving cryptocurrency. The chamber voted 58-0 for the bill without amendments.
The legislation imposes prison terms of two to five years and fines up to $125,000 for specified crimes. Penalties can double for crimes committed by a gang or those targeting multiple victims.
According to the Senate, “The draft law stipulates the establishment of criminal rules to fill the gaps and deficiencies in the current law.” It aims to address serious risks to social security and the economy.
A 2025 U.S. State Department report stated Cambodia’s government “frequently downplayed scam operation cases as labor disputes.” Authorities had never arrested any owner or operator of a suspected scam compound.
These Southeast Asian compounds are alleged sources of forced labor. A 2024 UN report described workers as being trafficked and held against their will in self-contained facilities.
The legislative passage followed recent UK sanctions on a Cambodia-based scam center’s operators. Cambodia also extradited a criminal syndicate leader with alleged ties to scam compounds to China.
The national assembly had advanced the bill days earlier with all 112 members voting in favor. The draft law now requires the king’s approval before it becomes official.
