US sanctions Cambodian senator over scam network targeting Americans

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions against Cambodian Senator Kok An as well as 28 individuals and entities linked to a network accused of defrauding Americans.

“The network operated scam centers that targeted victims, including through digital asset investment schemes,” the department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Thursday.

OFAC said the operations involved coaxing victims into transferring funds by promising high returns.

“In some cases, individuals perpetrating these scams are themselves victims of human trafficking and are forced to commit unlawful acts under threat of violence,” it said.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move is part of efforts to combat fraud targeting Americans.

“Eliminating fraud is a top priority for the US administration,” he added.

The sanctions were coordinated with US law enforcement agencies, which also announced criminal charges, asset seizures and actions against online platforms linked to the network.

The Treasury Department further said that US victims lost billions of dollars to similar Southeast Asia-based scams in recent years.