Phnom penh: Cambodia's National Assembly on Monday unanimously approved a draft law on combating online scams, with all 112 lawmakers voting in favour. The law was adopted during the 5th session of the 7th legislature of the National Assembly chaired by its President Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the draft legislation, consisting of five chapters and 24 articles, aims to strengthen digital security and better protect citizens from technology-based fraud, which has increasingly become a global concern. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice H.E. Koeut Rith, representing the Royal Government, outlined the necessity and strategic objectives of the law, stressing the need for a robust legal framework to tackle cross-border cybercrime.

The law introduces five new criminal offences, including online fraud, organising or leading scam centres, recruiting or training individuals to commit such crimes, illicit collection of personal data, and specific forms of money laundering. Lawmakers engaged in detailed discussions to ensure the law's effectiveness and alignment with Cambodia's current social context, ultimately endorsing the draft in its entirety.