Cambodia’s Cabinet approved a draft law on combating online scams in Phnom Penh on March 13 at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hun Manet. The bill contains five chapters and 24 articles, aiming to strengthen the legal framework and enforcement against technology-based fraud while protecting public security and order.
The draft proposes five new criminal offences: online fraud; organising or operating scam centres; recruiting or training people for online fraud; malicious collection of personal identification information; and specific money-laundering offences linked to online scams. It also proposes special procedures concerning detention periods, asset freezing and confiscation, recovery of property and international law-enforcement cooperation.
Hun Manet said at the meeting that online scams were a global problem affecting Cambodia as well. He said the crackdown was not symbolic but a commitment to “cleaning its own house” to protect the country’s reputation and socio-economic development. He reaffirmed that the government would fight online scams without retreat or exception.
