Cambodia drafts new law to combat telecom and online scams | AGB
Summary
The Cambodian Ministry of Justice has completed a draft Anti-Telecommunication Fraud Law and submitted it for inter-ministerial technical review. Prepared under Prime Minister Hun Manet’s instructions, the draft was discussed at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Koeut Rith with representatives from the interior, finance, central bank, telecoms ministry and the National Committee for Combating Cybercrime.
The proposed law aims to strengthen prevention, enforcement and punishment for telecom and online fraud, clarify agency roles, improve operational efficiency and boost inter-agency coordination. Officials said the legislation will underpin ongoing nationwide enforcement campaigns and help prevent Cambodia being used as a base for cross-border criminal networks. The move forms part of wider steps to tighten anti-money laundering and know‑your‑customer measures as the country seeks to avoid a third FATF grey listing.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Justice has completed a draft Anti-Telecommunication Fraud Law and sent it for technical review.
- The draft was prepared under Prime Minister Hun Manet’s directive and discussed in an inter-ministerial meeting led by Justice Minister Koeut Rith.
- The law is designed to strengthen prevention, enforcement, punishment and clarify jurisdiction across agencies handling telecom and online scams.
- Authorities are running a nationwide crackdown and aim to complete enforcement operations by the end of April 2026.
- Tighter AML and KYC measures form part of efforts to avoid placement on the FATF grey list for a third time.
Context and relevance
Cambodia has faced growing domestic and international scrutiny over telecom and internet-based scam operations and related money‑laundering risks. The draft law is a structural response intended to make enforcement more consistent and sustainable by clearly assigning responsibilities and improving inter-agency cooperation. For regulators, financial institutions, telecom operators and regional partners, the legislation — if passed — could change compliance expectations and operational coordination across the Mekong and ASEAN region.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you deal with regulation, payments, telecoms or regional risk in SE Asia, this matters. Cambodia is moving from ad‑hoc raids to legal muscle that could reshape how scams are policed and money flows are tracked. It’s one to watch if you want a heads-up on enforcement and compliance shifts.
Author note
Punchy take: this isn’t just another draft — it’s part of a visible push to clean up Cambodia’s image and head off a FATF grey‑list hit. The law could be a game changer for long‑term enforcement consistency.