Cambodia Moves to Criminalise Tech Fraud with New Draft Legislation

Cambodia: Cambodia has reached a critical milestone in its digital security framework as an inter-ministerial committee gave preliminary approval to a draft law aimed at combatting technology-based scams.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the technical meeting, held under the direction of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice H.E. Koeut Rith. The session brought together high-level representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Bank of Cambodia, and various law enforcement agencies.

The draft law on "Anti-Technology Fraud" is designed to provide a comprehensive legal framework to prevent, intercept, and suppress cyber-enabled crimes. Royal Government officials stated that the legislation is a high-priority initiative intended to protect the public and the integrity of the nation's burgeoning digital economy.

Officials emphasised that the legislation aligns with the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which Cambodia has previously signed. By adopting these international standards, the Royal Government aims to bolster cross-border cooperation in tracking cybercriminal networks that often operate across multiple jurisdictions.

The meeting concluded with a general consensus on the draft, which will now move forward through the legislative process for formal adoption. Once enacted, the law is expected to serve as the primary legal instrument for the Royal Government of Cambodia to dismantle sophisticated scam operations and strengthen the rule of law in the digital sphere.