Cambodia Law Targets Crypto Scam Kingpins with Life in Prison

• Prison sentences range from five years to life, depending on the penalty.
• Bill now heads to the Senate for review, then to King Norodom Sihamoni for finalization.
• Estimates suggest that Cambodia’s scam industry might pull in over $12.5 billion a year.

Cambodia is stepping up its fight against crypto-linked scam networks. The country’s National Assembly has advanced a new law that allows life imprisonment for operators of large online fraud rings, including crypto scams. The move comes as global pressure grows over scam compounds operating inside the country.

The proposed law targets cross-border cybercrime groups running large-scale fraud operations. These include fake crypto investment platforms, impersonation scams, and pig-butchering schemes that target victims worldwide.

Prison Terms Range From 5 Years to Life

Penalties scale based on the severity of the crime. Running or organizing a scam ring carries 5 to 10 years in prison. If trafficking, confinement, or violence is involved, sentences rise to 20 years. Leaders of large scam operations face 15 to 30 years, while cases involving death or severe abuse can result in life imprisonment.

Fines can exceed $250,000 in serious cases. Lower-level participants may face two to five years in prison and fines of up to $125,000.

The legislation also targets related crimes, including money laundering, recruitment into scam networks, and the collection or misuse of victims’ personal data.

Justice Minister Keut Rith said the bill is part of a broader national effort to dismantle scam compounds and rebuild Cambodia’s international reputation. All 112 lawmakers present voted in favor of the measure. The bill now heads to the Senate for review before final approval by King Norodom Sihamoni.

Cambodia Under Pressure

The country’s crackdown comes after years of pressure from governments, rights groups, law enforcement, and other organizations. Along with parts of Myanmar and Laos, Cambodia has been a huge hotspot for online fraud, including crypto scams like fake investment sites and pig butchering schemes.

These scams often take place in guarded compounds where trafficked workers are forced to run fraud at gunpoint. Victims get tricked by fake job ads and end up in conditions that people call near‑slavery.

Enforcement Ramps Up as Authorities Shut Down Sites

In parallel with the new law, Cambodian officials have ramped up the enforcement, with over 200 scam sites shut down in recent months and nearly 700 people charged. Additionally, about 10,000 trafficked workers were sent home from scam compounds.

Estimates suggest that Cambodia’s scam industry might pull in over $12.5 billion a year, a staggering number that shows just how huge the shadow economy really is.

According to Chainalysis, crypto scams caused $17 billion in losses globally in 2025, and Southeast Asia is considered a major hub for those operations.

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