Cambodia’s Cabinet is set to review a draft anti-telecom and online fraud law this week that could impose legal liability on property owners who rent premises to scam syndicates and individuals involved in recruiting workers for telecom fraud operations, according to local media outlet The Cambodia China Times.
Prime Minister Hun Manet is expected to chair a full Cabinet meeting this Friday, March 13th, during which ministers will examine the draft Anti-Telecommunications and Online Fraud Law as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen enforcement against telecom fraud.
Hun Manet said earlier this month that the government is accelerating the drafting process in order to push the legislation through and bring it into force as soon as possible.
Under the proposed measures, property owners would not be able to evade responsibility by claiming they were unaware that their premises were being used for illegal activities.
Cambodia’s government has set a target of eliminating telecom fraud activities nationwide by the end of April. Hun Manet warned that some individuals may still be waiting to see whether authorities will fully enforce the crackdown. The top official stressed that the government remains determined to dismantle telecom scam operations and prevent Cambodia from being used as a base for such activities.
Hun Manet also described telecom fraud as part of a “black economy” that harms Cambodia’s international reputation and undermines legitimate economic development, calling on society to work together to eradicate the problem.
