Cambodia has begun taking firm legal steps to address the rise of digital fraud operations that have long made the country one of the region’s major scam hubs.
The government said it has drafted its first law specifically targeting online scam centers, as part of an effort to shut down these operations by the end of April at the latest.
As reported by AP, the policy comes amid growing international pressure, as scam networks based in Cambodia have caused losses amounting to tens of billions of dollars each year for victims in multiple countries.
A New Law to Curb the Fraud Industry
The draft law, which has been approved by the cabinet, imposes harsh penalties on those who organize or control technology-based fraud operations. Offenders could face prison sentences ranging from five to ten years, along with fines of up to 1 billion riel, or around US$250,000.
If the activities involve human trafficking, violence, or unlawful detention, the punishment could increase to 10 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to 2 billion riel.
Meanwhile, cases involving a person’s death as a result of scam center operations could lead to prison terms of 15 to 30 years, or even life imprisonment. The draft law is still awaiting parliamentary approval before it can officially take effect.
Thousands of Victims and Crackdown Operations
This digital fraud industry has not only caused major financial losses for victims, but has also involved illegal labor recruitment practices.
Many people from across Asia have been lured by fake job offers and then forced to work in scam centers under conditions resembling slavery. Some victims were even reported to have died while trying to escape.
According to government data, since July last year, authorities have targeted around 250 locations suspected of being scam centers and have managed to shut down about 200 of them. During the same period, law enforcement also filed 79 legal cases involving nearly 700 individuals suspected of being leaders of scam networks and their associates.
In addition, nearly 10,000 workers from 23 countries have been repatriated from scam centers in Cambodia, while fewer than 1,000 people are still awaiting the repatriation process. This move is part of the government’s effort to restore the country’s reputation and reduce the economic and social damage caused by the digital fraud industry.
