Cambodia Drafting Tough New Law Targeting Online Fraud Networks
Cambodia Drafting Tough New Law Targeting Online Fraud Networks
PHNOM PENH, March 6, 2026 — Cambodia is preparing new legislation to combat online scam operations, with legal liability extending to property owners, landlords, building managers and recruiters linked to such activities, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Friday.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the annual conference of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, Hun Manet said the government is drafting a law aimed at preventing and permanently eliminating technology-enabled fraud that damages Cambodia’s economy and national reputation.
The proposed legislation will introduce obligations for those connected to locations where scam operations take place, he said.
“In the future, property owners cannot simply claim they did not know when renting out buildings used for scams,” Hun Manet said. “Those who recruit workers or facilitate such operations will also bear legal responsibility.”
The prime minister warned that online fraud constitutes part of a “black economy” that undermines Cambodia’s legitimate economic activity. Individuals indirectly benefiting from scam operations — such as landlords, drivers or intermediaries — could form part of a “grey economy,” while sectors such as tourism and lawful business represent the country’s “white economy,” he said.
Hun Manet rejected claims circulating online that scam activities represent 60% of Cambodia’s economy, describing the allegation as false. Income generated from criminal operations does not contribute to the country’s official gross domestic product, he added.
Earlier this week, the Cambodian leader said authorities aim to eliminate online scam centers by April 2026, part of a broader campaign to strengthen law enforcement and improve the investment climate.
“Cambodia is not a place for criminals using technology to conduct fraud or transnational crime,” Hun Manet said, warning that individuals or organizations involved in such activities would face the maximum penalties under the law.
