Background
On 20 March 2026, the National Assembly’s Commission on Legislation and Justice (Commission 6) convened an internal meeting to review and study the draft Law on Combating Technology-Based Fraud. The meeting was chaired by Ang Vong Vathana, Chair of Commission 6, at the National Assembly building.
The draft law was approved by the Council of Ministers on 13 March 2026. On 19 March 2026, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly assigned Commission 6, in cooperation with the commission responsible for interior, national defense, public functions and border affairs, to conduct a detailed examination and to prepare a report back to the Standing Committee.
The law has been drafted with the stated objective of ensuring high effectiveness in line with international standards. It is based on the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the United Nations convention on combating technology-related crime, as well as experiences drawn from the laws of certain more advanced countries.
Scope of Application
The draft law consists of 5 chapters and 24 articles. It addresses criminal conduct involving the use of technology for fraudulent purposes, the organization and operation of technology-based fraud centres, recruitment and training of individuals to commit fraud, the collection and misuse of identity documents and personal data with wrongful intent, and specific forms of money laundering arising from fraud.
The provisions are intended to apply to activities involving technology-based fraud and associated criminal operations within the Kingdom of Cambodia, with a focus on protecting private data, property, and social security.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The draft law introduces five new criminal offences, as described by the National Assembly communication:
- Technology-based fraud: Use of technology to deceive and fraudulently obtain property.
- Organization or leadership of technology-based fraud centres: Targeting organizers and those who establish and direct locations or centres used for fraud operations.
- Recruitment or training of individuals to commit fraud: Preventing the selection and preparation of persons to engage in fraudulent schemes.
- Collection of identity documents or personal information with malicious intent: Protecting citizens’ personal data and privacy against wrongful collection and misuse.
- Creation of specific forms of money laundering offences: Targeting financial flows derived from fraud-related activities.
The National Assembly commissions are currently studying these provisions in detail before reporting their findings and recommendations to the Standing Committee.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Once enacted, the law would establish specific criminal offences related to technology-based fraud, including the misuse of personal data and fraud-linked money laundering. Entities and individuals using technology platforms, handling personal data, or involved in financial transactions would need to be aware of the new offences described in the law and align their practices accordingly.
The initiative is expected, according to the communication, to contribute to increased confidence in the use of technology systems and to the protection of social security in Cambodia, by providing a clearer legal framework for addressing technology-based fraud.
Official Source
This information is based on an announcement published by the National Assembly of Cambodia on its official Facebook page on 20 March 2026.
Related Developments
This topic is part of ongoing policy and enforcement developments related to cybercrime and online fraud in Cambodia, including scam investigations, regulatory responses, and cross-border cooperation.
