Cambodia Drafts Law to Combat Technology-Based Fraud

PHNOM PENH, Feb 12, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Ministry of Justice has drafted new legislation to tackle technology-based fraud, part of a broader government push to strengthen measures against cybercrime.

In a statement Wednesday, the ministry said the draft law on “Combating Technology-Based Fraud” was prepared under the directive of Prime Minister Hun Manet and has been submitted to an inter-ministerial meeting for technical review.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Keut Rith, included representatives from the ministries of Interior and Economy and Finance, the National Bank of Cambodia, the Council of Jurists, and judicial police units.

Participants expressed broad agreement with the draft.​ The proposed law aims to establish a clearer legal framework to prevent and suppress technology-based fraud, aligning with the UN Convention against Cybercrime, which Cambodia has signed.

Authorities have intensified crackdowns in recent weeks. More than 2,000 suspects were arrested in Svay Rieng province earlier this month, followed by over 800 detentions in Preah Sihanouk province. Foreign nationals involved have since been deported.

The Ministry of Interior has set an April 2026 deadline for a sweeping operation to eradicate online scam networks, pledging to “thoroughly clean out” all locations linked to fraud.