(AsiaGameHub) –   Cambodia is nearing the enactment of a specialized telecom fraud law—the first of its kind in the region—which could impose life imprisonment as a penalty. According to Koet Rith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, the Anti-Telecom Fraud Law has been approved by the cabinet and is now under review by the National Assembly’s legislative and judicial committee.

Government officials state the law was drafted in response to the growing number of scams and fraudulent activities in the telecommunications sector and aims to prevent criminals from regrouping following recent crackdowns.

Under the draft legislation, operators or managers of scam centers may face lengthy prison terms. Those who establish or run such facilities could be sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison. However, if the operation involves unlawful detention, extortion, or homicide, the sentence could range from 30 years to life imprisonment.

The bill will set penalties for those who recruit or train individuals for fraudulent operations and hold landlords and property owners responsible for leasing premises to such operations. The legislation will define offenses for five categories of individuals.

This initiative follows multiple public remarks by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who emphasized that the government is undertaking a genuine and ongoing effort to address telecom fraud, not merely a superficial one. The Prime Minister has noted that this issue is not only a domestic problem but has also damaged Cambodia’s international reputation, meaning the reform carries political weight.

The pace at which the bill is processed by relevant committee(s) to reach the National Assembly will shape the immediate next steps. The severity of life sentences and heavy fines for those involved in serious fraud cases underscores the government’s heightened efforts to shut down Cambodia’s top fraud hub and target its backers.