Cambodia Hosts International Conference on Combating Tech-Enabled Fraud, Adopts 11-Point Joint Statement

Phnom Penh, September 24, 2026 -- The Ministry of Justice announced today that a two-day international conference on combating tech-enabled fraud concluded with the adoption of an 11-point joint statement. Mr. Keng Somarith, Secretary of State and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, stated that the conference participants reached a common understanding and committed to these points. The 11-point statement emphasizes strengthening international cooperation through enhanced coordination among competent authorities to improve the timely and secure sharing of information in compliance with national laws and international obligations. It also calls for identifying focal points and reinforcing mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, as well as cooperation in identifying, tracking, detaining, and confiscating assets related to offenses. Participants pledged to jointly sever criminal chains and eliminate the entire ecosystem of tech-enabled fraud by identifying, sanctioning, punishing, blocking, eradicating, and dismantling all criminal organizations and individuals that intentionally and premeditatedly facilitate such activities, along with their accomplices and masterminds. Furthermore, the conference agreed on measures to block and recover proceeds of crime by strengthening capabilities in identifying, tracking, freezing, detaining, and confiscating proceeds of crime and the tools used in tech-enabled fraud, in accordance with the law and mutual agreement. It also aims to enhance mechanisms for the rapid exchange of financial investigation information, in compliance with national laws, including data protection and strengthening the search and location of assets, financial systems, and criminal network infrastructure. The statement also highlights leveraging technological innovators to prevent, detect, and block tech-enabled fraud by utilizing advanced digital tools, financial data analysis, and new technologies, adhering to national laws and procedures. It was agreed to strengthen policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks by reinforcing national measures to address evolving fraud methods and the use of traditional, modern, and emerging technologies for criminal purposes. Risk-based measures will be strengthened to prevent the misuse of legal entities, legal and financial arrangements, payment systems, and related financial networks, in accordance with applicable national laws and regulations. Capacity building and resilience will be fostered through multi-agency training, technical assistance, and knowledge exchange among law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, prosecutors, courts, regulators, and other relevant authorities. The development of specialized institutional capacities, including financial forensics and digital forensics, will also be enhanced. Public-private partnerships between governments, financial institutions, business and non-financial professional entities, payment service providers, virtual asset service providers, telecommunications operators, internet service providers, technology platforms, and other relevant private sectors will be strengthened to facilitate timely and effective information exchange. Support and protection for victims of human trafficking and vulnerable individuals will be reinforced through necessary mechanisms for rescue, identification, provision of care services, assistance, rehabilitation, safe and dignified repatriation, timely access to consular services, and support for victims' repatriation. The principle of non-punishment for victims of human trafficking, including those forced into committing tech-enabled fraud, will be implemented in accordance with national laws, regulations, and policies, ensuring victims are not penalized for unlawful acts committed through trafficking. This excludes individuals rescued from fraud centers who voluntarily return or re-enter fraud centers after repatriation, as per national laws and international obligations. Joint efforts will be made to prevent fraud and human trafficking by strengthening public awareness campaigns on digital and financial literacy. Access to reliable information regarding fraudulent labor recruitment, fake work schemes, fraudulent investment projects, or migration methods will be improved to reduce vulnerability and prevent individuals from being recruited into tech-enabled fraud operations through scam centers. Finally, the conference agreed to eliminate major tech-enabled fraud sites and related infrastructure through the strict, effective, transparent, and swift enforcement of legal measures within each country's jurisdiction, in accordance with existing laws and regulations, and respecting the principles of equality and state sovereignty. Source: AKP Khmer