Phnom penh: Cambodia's Council of Ministers on Friday approved a draft law aimed at strengthening the fight against online scams, as the government steps up efforts to combat technology-based fraud. The draft law was discussed and approved during a plenary Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the proposed legislation contains five chapters and 24 articles and aims to establish criminal measures to enhance the effectiveness of efforts to combat technology-based fraud, while contributing to the protection of public security and order and strengthening cooperation in tackling such crimes.

The law is necessary to demonstrate Cambodia's strong political commitment to eliminating cybercrime in line with the 2024 United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, as well as to support efforts to combat money laundering and address legal challenges related to online fraud.

Key provisions of the draft law include the introduction of five new criminal offences, such as online fraud, organising or operating online scam centres, recruiting or training others to participate in online fraud, the malicious collection of personal identification documents or personal data, and the establishment of specific forms of money-laundering offences.

The draft law also outlines special criminal procedures, including measures related to detention periods, suspension and freezing of assets, confiscation of property, exemptions or mitigation of criminal liability in certain cases, and the strengthening of international cooperation.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet emphasised during the meeting that online scams are a complex regional and global issue, noting that Cambodia has also been affected and its reputation damaged internationally. He stressed that the government's crackdown on online scams is not a symbolic campaign or a short-term effort, as some have suggested, but a genuine commitment to 'cleaning its own house' because the issue affects the country's reputation and socio-economic development.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the Royal Government is firmly determined to combat online scams without exception or retreat.