Minister of Justice Keout Rith chaired a February 11 inter-institutional meeting to discuss the draft of a new law which aims to enhance the effectiveness of combatting online fraud.
According to the justice ministry, the new legislation was informed by the policy of Prime Minister Hun Manet. A comprehensive draft has been prepared and is currently undergoing thorough consultations. The additional input gathered aims to ensure its effectiveness in supressing technology-related fraud.
Government institutions involved in the consultation process include the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Bank of Cambodia, the Legal Council of the Council of Ministers, the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking and the Ad Hoc Committee for Combating Technology-Related Fraud, as well as judicial police units.
According to the justice ministry, after presentations and consultations, “the meeting generally agreed on the draft law on combatting technology-related fraud”. None of the content of the draft law have been made public.
The ministry added that the coming law will establish a clear legal framework to enhance the effectiveness of suppressing technology-related fraud, a key priority of the Royal Government.
“In addition, this law is also prepared in accordance with the UN Convention on Combatting Cybercrime, to which Cambodia is a signatory,” it said.
The government is currently conducting a major campaign against online scam operations.
Tens of thousands of foreigners who were involved have been expelled or voluntarily left Cambodia, while many of the leaders behind the operations have been prosecuted in Cambodia or extradited to face charges in other countries, according to Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission for Combatting Technology Crimes (CCTC).
