The Law on Combating Technology-Enabled Scams, promulgated by Royal Kram No. NS/RKM/0426/006 dated 06 April 2026, establishes criminal measures to strengthen the fight against technological-enabled scams, safeguarding public security and order, and promoting cooperation in combating such criminality. This law applied to offences involving technological systems, including related offences. It covers crimes committed within the Kingdom of Cambodia, as well as certain extraterritorial offences involving Cambodian nationals or assets linked to Cambodia, and offences conducted through banking and financial systems of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
I. COMPETENT AUTHORITIES
Judicial Police officers are primarily responsible for combating technology-enabled scams in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Royal Government may establish a specialized body to lead, coordinate, supervise and implement prevention, interdiction, and enforcement measures against technology-enabled scams. Civil servants assigned to combat technology-enabled scams may be granted Judicial Police powers by Prakas of the Minister of Justice, to conduct examinations, investigations, and inquiries in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure.
II. OFFENCES RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED SCAMS
The Law on Combating Technology-Enabled Scams expressly defines specific criminal acts related to technology-enabled offenses and established tiered penalties that vary according to the severity of the conduct and the level of organization involved:
| Offence | Definition | Base Penalty | Aggravated Penalty |
| Technology-Enabled Scam | Using technology systems to deceive any natural or legal person for delivery of funds, valuables, property, services, or issuance of obligation-related documents. | 2 to 5 years imprisonmentFine of 200 to 500 million Riels | If committed by an organized group or against multiple victims: 5 to 10 years imprisonmentFine of 500 million to 1 billion Riels |
| Organizing or Leading a Technology-Enabled Scam Centre | Using a premises to facilitate scams where multiple individuals operate in groups or networks, formally managed or not. | 5 to 10 years imprisonmentFine of 500 million to 1 billion Riels | If involving violence, torture, unlawful detention, or exploitation: 10 to 20 years imprisonmentFine of 1 to 2 billion Riels15 to 30 years or life imprisonment (if resulting in death) |
| Recruiting or Training Others to Commit Technology-Enabled Scams | Recruiting or training others to participate in technology-enabled scams. | 2 to 5 years imprisonmentFine of 200 to 500 million Riels | If involving violence, unlawful restraint, death, or trafficking related knowledge: 5 to 10 years imprisonmentFine of 500 million to 1 billion Riels |
| Malicious Collection of Identification or Personal Information Documents | Maliciously collecting identification or personal documents to facilitate technology-enabled scams. | 1 to 3 years imprisonmentFine of 100 to 300 million Riels | If committed by an organized group: 3 to 5 years imprisonmentFine of 300 to 500 million Riels |
| Money Laundering Linked to Offences under This Law | Possessing assets suspected to be linked to technology-enabled scams and failing to prove lawful origin, making them presumed illicit. | Subject to penalties applicable to money laundering laws | Not specified (applied under broader money laundering framework) |
This law also provides for additional penalties for scam-related offences, including the confiscation of immovable property, the closure or deletion of bank accounts, online accounts, websites, electronic accounts, or social media accounts or platforms used as instruments of offences, in accordance with the Criminal Code. Legal entities can also be held criminally liable and may face significant fines ranging from 1 billion to 30 billion Riels, or fines equal to the value of the proceeds of the offence, along with additional penalties.
Attempts are punishable as completed misdemeanour, and all persons involved, including co-perpetrators, instigators, and accomplices are deemed principal perpetrators. Principal penalties for offence under this law shall not be subject to alternative or additional penalties under the Criminal Code.
Individuals acting under duress or coercion shall not be criminally liable under this law. Any person who participated in an offence, before being charged, reports the offence may be exempt from penalty. If the report is made after the person has been charged, that person shall be entitled to mitigating circumstances in accordance with the Criminal Code.
III. PROVISIONAL ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURES
Proceedings relating to technology-enabled scams and related offences under the Law on Combating Technology-enabled scams shall follow the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure unless otherwise specified. For purposes of examination, investigation, prosecution, interrogation, and the imposition of penalties, this law provides as follows:
- Police Custody: The duration of police custody may be extended every 48 hours with the Prosecutor’s authorization, in increments up to a maximum of 10 days where the offences are committed by an organized group, involve multiple suspects, or affect multiple victims.
- Suspension, Seizure, and Freezing: Judicial Police Officers may request the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit (CAFIU) to provisionally suspend suspicious transactions linked to offences under this law, with such suspension shall last no more than 48 hours. They may also request that the Prosecutor or court order the seizure or freezing of accounts, and the court may act independently. For other property or suspicious transaction related offences, Judicial Police Officers may request competent authorities to temporarily seize or suspend them, who must act urgently. The court must decide on seizure or freezing within 48 hours, extendable by no more than 24 hours.
- Professional Secrecy: Professional secrecy shall not impede the applicable of this law.
- International Cooperation: Cambodia may cooperate with foreign states in matters including mutual legal assistance, provided that such cooperation complies with the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the international instruments on trinational crime and cybercrime to which Cambodia is a party.
- Confiscation of Assets: If the charged person is unknown or deceased, the investigating judge may request the criminal court to confiscate instruments, equipment, funds, profits, or property used to commit the offence, the location where the offence was committed, or the proceeds of the offence, as provided in this law.
- Application of the Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing: The provisions of the Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing shall also apply to anti-money laundering measures related to offences under this law.
Note: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalized advice.