Cambodia: Individuals and companies sanctioned by US over alleged role in using trafficking labour to target Americans
BHRRC Southeast Asia
"US Sanctions Senator Kok An Over Scam Operations", 24 April 2026
The United States … sanctioned Cambodian Senator Kok An, accusing him and 28 associates and entities of running scam compounds that stole millions from American victims, the Treasury Department said.
The move coincided with action by the Scam Center Strike Force, an interagency initiative targeting online scam networks, which charged two Chinese nationals it said ran a crypto fraud compound in Myanmar and tried to open another in Cambodia. Authorities also seized a Telegram channel allegedly used to recruit trafficking victims and shut down 503 fake investment websites.
“My office will continue working to recover funds stolen from victims,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia said at a press briefing on Friday, adding that authorities had restrained more than $700 million in cryptocurrency for American victims…
… Kok An owns numerous companies, including Crown Resorts, and properties that house scam compounds, the Treasury said, adding that victims trafficked to these sites reported thousands of others were forced to carry out scams under threat of violence. He is also the subject of an arrest warrant in Thailand for related alleged crimes…
Alongside Kok An, authorities designated Anco Brothers, a firm he owns that holds casino licenses, as well as associate Rithy Raksmei and his K99 Group, and companies tied to alleged scam sites and co-located casinos in Sihanoukville, including Xing Tian Di Co Ltd and Nan Tian International Hotel Co Ltd.
Raksmei’s reported associates Aik Paung and Sai Aung Linn were also targeted, along with firms including Xihu Resort and Heng Feng Group and its bank. The measures also hit casino-linked operator Brilliancy Sihanoukville Investment, the Treasury said…
Reporters attempted to reach Kok An via numbers listed in the corporate registry, but calls went unanswered…