The most prominent target of the crackdown is Kok An, a Cambodian senator and prominent businessman described by the Treasury Department as a “scam center kingpin.”The department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions against Kok An and associates for their roles in a network that has allegedly defrauded U.S. citizens of millions of dollars. They include blocking Kok An’s assets in the United States and prohibiting U.S. entities from doing business with him.The Associated Press was unable to contact Kok An or any of his representatives for comment.“His Excellency Kok An is a Cambodian Senator and he was elected by elections, and as a senator he has parliamentary immunity,” said Chea Thyrith, a Cambodian Senate spokesperson, who added that only the U.S. side could speak clearly about the sanctions.Kok An is at least the second Cambodian senator to be sanctioned by the U.S. In 2024, Washington acted against another top tycoon, Ly Yong Phat, who also was accused of being connected with forced labor, human trafficking and lucrative online scams.Pirro said the latest crackdown was set in motion in November when FBI agents sent to Thailand accessed copious evidence seized from an abandoned scam center in Myanmar, including more than 8,000 phones and 1,500 computers.That led to charges of wire fraud conspiracy against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who were managers of the compound before seeking to reestablish their operations in Cambodia. They are being held by Thai authorities for immigration violations and the U.S. is seeking their extradition, Pirro said.Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

The department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions against Kok An and associates for their roles in a network that has allegedly defrauded U.S. citizens of millions of dollars. They include blocking Kok An’s assets in the United States and prohibiting U.S. entities from doing business with him.The Associated Press was unable to contact Kok An or any of his representatives for comment.“His Excellency Kok An is a Cambodian Senator and he was elected by elections, and as a senator he has parliamentary immunity,” said Chea Thyrith, a Cambodian Senate spokesperson, who added that only the U.S. side could speak clearly about the sanctions.Kok An is at least the second Cambodian senator to be sanctioned by the U.S. In 2024, Washington acted against another top tycoon, Ly Yong Phat, who also was accused of being connected with forced labor, human trafficking and lucrative online scams.Pirro said the latest crackdown was set in motion in November when FBI agents sent to Thailand accessed copious evidence seized from an abandoned scam center in Myanmar, including more than 8,000 phones and 1,500 computers.That led to charges of wire fraud conspiracy against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who were managers of the compound before seeking to reestablish their operations in Cambodia. They are being held by Thai authorities for immigration violations and the U.S. is seeking their extradition, Pirro said.Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

The Associated Press was unable to contact Kok An or any of his representatives for comment.“His Excellency Kok An is a Cambodian Senator and he was elected by elections, and as a senator he has parliamentary immunity,” said Chea Thyrith, a Cambodian Senate spokesperson, who added that only the U.S. side could speak clearly about the sanctions.Kok An is at least the second Cambodian senator to be sanctioned by the U.S. In 2024, Washington acted against another top tycoon, Ly Yong Phat, who also was accused of being connected with forced labor, human trafficking and lucrative online scams.Pirro said the latest crackdown was set in motion in November when FBI agents sent to Thailand accessed copious evidence seized from an abandoned scam center in Myanmar, including more than 8,000 phones and 1,500 computers.That led to charges of wire fraud conspiracy against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who were managers of the compound before seeking to reestablish their operations in Cambodia. They are being held by Thai authorities for immigration violations and the U.S. is seeking their extradition, Pirro said.Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

“His Excellency Kok An is a Cambodian Senator and he was elected by elections, and as a senator he has parliamentary immunity,” said Chea Thyrith, a Cambodian Senate spokesperson, who added that only the U.S. side could speak clearly about the sanctions.Kok An is at least the second Cambodian senator to be sanctioned by the U.S. In 2024, Washington acted against another top tycoon, Ly Yong Phat, who also was accused of being connected with forced labor, human trafficking and lucrative online scams.Pirro said the latest crackdown was set in motion in November when FBI agents sent to Thailand accessed copious evidence seized from an abandoned scam center in Myanmar, including more than 8,000 phones and 1,500 computers.That led to charges of wire fraud conspiracy against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who were managers of the compound before seeking to reestablish their operations in Cambodia. They are being held by Thai authorities for immigration violations and the U.S. is seeking their extradition, Pirro said.Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

Kok An is at least the second Cambodian senator to be sanctioned by the U.S. In 2024, Washington acted against another top tycoon, Ly Yong Phat, who also was accused of being connected with forced labor, human trafficking and lucrative online scams.Pirro said the latest crackdown was set in motion in November when FBI agents sent to Thailand accessed copious evidence seized from an abandoned scam center in Myanmar, including more than 8,000 phones and 1,500 computers.That led to charges of wire fraud conspiracy against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who were managers of the compound before seeking to reestablish their operations in Cambodia. They are being held by Thai authorities for immigration violations and the U.S. is seeking their extradition, Pirro said.Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

Pirro said the latest crackdown was set in motion in November when FBI agents sent to Thailand accessed copious evidence seized from an abandoned scam center in Myanmar, including more than 8,000 phones and 1,500 computers.That led to charges of wire fraud conspiracy against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who were managers of the compound before seeking to reestablish their operations in Cambodia. They are being held by Thai authorities for immigration violations and the U.S. is seeking their extradition, Pirro said.Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

That led to charges of wire fraud conspiracy against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, who were managers of the compound before seeking to reestablish their operations in Cambodia. They are being held by Thai authorities for immigration violations and the U.S. is seeking their extradition, Pirro said.Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

In January, Cambodia extradited to China another alleged scam kingpin, Chen Zhi, the founder of business and banking conglomerate Prince Holding Group, even though U.S. authorities had sought custody after indicting him last year for allegedly running a huge scam operation.Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

Related:Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown UpRelated:US Sanctions Myanmar Militia Involved in Cyber ScamsRelated:US Charges Cambodian Executive in Massive Crypto Scam and Seizes More Than $14 Billion in Bitcoin

Source: SecurityWeek