(Phnom Penh): On 6 April 2026, Cambodian Acting Head of State Samdech Techo Hun Sen issued a Royal Decree promulgating the Law on Combating Technology-based Fraud.

According to the Royal Decree, the law takes effect immediately.

Under the new legislation, severe penalties are imposed on offenders. Online scam operations that result in one or more deaths will lead to prison sentences ranging from 15 to 30 years, or life imprisonment.

Ringleaders of scam centres face between five and 10 years in prison along with fines of up to one billion riels (approximately USD 250,000). If their operations involve violence, torture, illegal confinement, human trafficking, or forced labour, penalties increase to 10 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to two billion riels ((approximately USD 500,000).

Individual scammers will face between two and five years in prison, with fines of up to 500 million riels (approximately USD 125,000).

It should be noted that the law was adopted by the National Assembly on 30 March 2026 and later unanimously approved by the Senate on 3 April 2026. It aims to enhance public safety, maintain social order, and deter online fraud, particularly in cases involving serious crimes such as extortion or murder.
=FRESH NEWS