Cambodia passes new bill targeting online fraud.

Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said that a bill aimed at cracking down on transnational fraud was passed at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hun Manet. The bill will soon be submitted to Parliament for consideration. Neth Pheaktra affirmed that Cambodia "is not a haven or safe haven for criminals" and declared that the crackdown will continue.

Regarding penalties, the bill stipulates that the ringleaders of these fraudulent centers will face sentences of 5 to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 1 billion riel (approximately $246,000). The penalties will increase to 10 to 20 years in prison and 2 billion riel if their activities involve violence, torture, detention, human trafficking, or forced labor. In cases resulting in the death of a victim, the ringleaders will face sentences of 15 to 30 years in prison or life imprisonment. For lower-level accomplices, the penalty is 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 billion riel if the crime is organized and affects multiple victims.

Fraud is putting immense pressure on Cambodia's economy and reputation. Last month, Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that fraud centers are undermining the country's economy and pledged to "clean up" the situation.

Mr. Chhay Sinarith, a senior minister on the government's online fraud prevention committee, said Cambodia hopes to shut down all online fraud centers by the end of April. According to official statistics, since the start of the crackdown last July, authorities have shut down approximately 250 fraudulent websites and 91 casinos; more than 200,000 people have fled these locations and left Cambodia, while around 10,000 foreign nationals have been deported.

To date, the most notable development in the campaign has been the arrest of Chinese-born tycoon Chen Zhi last January, who was subsequently extradited to China.