PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian lawmakers on Monday unanimously adopted a new law targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut them down by the end of April.
All 112 members of parliament present voted to approve the legislation, which marks Cambodia’s first legal framework specifically aimed at a lucrative, illicit industry that has transformed the country into a global hub for cybercrime.
The scam operations typically involve bogus investment schemes and feigned romances that collectively extort tens of billions of dollars from victims around the world every year.
Justice Minister Keut Rith noted that thousands of people, especially from other Asian nations, are lured with fraudulent job offers and forced to work in scam centers in conditions of near-slavery,
Keut Rith told lawmakers that these crimes threaten public security and significantly damage Cambodia’s global reputation.
The legislation awaits review by the Senate and final approval by King Norodom Sihamoni.
Directing what’s described as a technology fraud site would carry five to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $250,000. For cases involving human trafficking, illegal confinement or violence, the prison term is 10 to 20 years.
If a worker dies, as is often associated with failed escape attempts, offenders face 15 to 30 years or even life imprisonment.
Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, who leads the Commission for Combating Online Scams, recently announced that authorities have targeted 250 suspected locations since July, successfully shutting down 200.
He said the enforcement efforts resulted in 79 legal cases against nearly 700 ringleaders and associates. Over the same period, the government has repatriated nearly 10,000 scam center workers from 23 countries.
Experts are skeptical. Jacob Sims, a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Asia Center, pointed out in response to Chhay Sinarith’s remarks that past crackdowns often failed because they left financial and protection networks intact, allowing criminal operations to quickly start again.
FILE- Equipment used at a scam center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, file)
FILE - Equipment confiscated in a raid by Cambodian police are laid out on a table at a scam center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, file)
FILE - Bun Sosekha, Deputy Commissioner in charge of Security Unit, Phnom Penh Municipal Police, gives a tour of a scam center to journalists in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, file)
WESTBROOK, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2026--
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), a global leader in pet healthcare innovation, today announced that SDMA, a renal biomarker, will be built into Catalyst™ CLIPs, making complete kidney function evaluation part of the most common point-of-care chemistry profiles. Available beginning in June to customers in the United States and Canada, the integration expands access to advanced kidney assessment at scale, enabling veterinarians to identify kidney function loss earlier and act sooner, without disrupting familiar workflows.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260519642899/en/
Supported by peer-reviewed studies using the IDEXX SDMA™ Test, SDMA is recognized by the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) as a key biomarker for evaluating kidney function in pets. 1 Since introducing the IDEXX SDMA™ Test in 2015, IDEXX has performed approximately 119 million SDMA patient tests globally primarily through its reference laboratories and increasingly on the Catalyst platform, 2 underscoring the test’s clinical importance and broad adoption in kidney health evaluation. Results are seamlessly integrated into VetConnect™ PLUS, alongside other diagnostic data.
“SDMA is a clear example of how IDEXX innovates by developing clinically relevant diagnostics and then scaling their impact through platforms veterinarians already use every day,” said Mike Erickson, President and CEO of IDEXX. “Earlier insight enables earlier action, improving outcomes for pets, strengthening care experiences, and supporting durable, long-term growth for veterinary practices and IDEXX.”
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in dogs and cats and frequently unrecognized, particularly early in the disease. Clinical evidence continues to show that including SDMA in routine diagnostic testing enables earlier detection of meaningful declines in kidney function that conventional markers alone may miss. 3–6 In addition, a study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, found that cats with early-stage CKD treated with a renal diet experienced slower disease progression and improved survival. 7
“Kidney disease is common in both cats and dogs, so early evaluation is important,” said Dr. Christine Kirnos, VMD, The Cat Hospital of Media.* “Making SDMA easier to incorporate into routine in-clinic chemistry testing helps us assess kidney health more consistently and provides meaningful insight during the patient visit.”
For more information, please visit the Catalyst testing web page.
*Dr. Kirnos has received compensation for consulting services she has provided to IDEXX.
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About IDEXX
IDEXX is a global leader in pet healthcare innovation. Our diagnostic and software products and services create clarity in the complex, constantly evolving world of veterinary medicine. We support longer, fuller lives for pets by delivering insights and solutions that help the veterinary community around the world make confident decisions—to advance medical care, improve efficiency, and build thriving practices. Our innovations also help ensure the safety of milk and water across the world and maintain the health and well-being of people and livestock. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a member of the S&P 500™ Index. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX employs approximately 11,000 people and offers solutions and products to customers in more than 175 countries and territories. For more information about IDEXX, visit: www.idexx.com.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “may,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “would,” “will,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “should,” “project,” and similar words and expressions. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events; are based on current estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions; and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements because actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied. The reports filed by IDEXX pursuant to United States securities laws contain discussions of some of these risks and uncertainties. IDEXX assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are advised to review IDEXX’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which are available from the SEC’s EDGAR database at sec.gov and via IDEXX’s website at idexx.com).
Catalyst SDMA Testing
