U.S. sanctions Cambodian senator over alleged links to crypto scam centers

According to the U.S. Treasury, Cambodian senator Kok An and 28 associated entities were sanctioned over alleged involvement in a large-scale crypto scam and trafficking-linked operation in Cambodia.

32d ago

Fact Check

The strongest source is Treasury's April 23, 2026 press release at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469, which explicitly states that OFAC designated Kok An and 28 individuals and entities in his network. That same release also states that, alongside the sanctions, the Scam Center Strike Force announced seizure of 503 fraudulent web domains used in cryptocurrency investment fraud. DOJ's press release, 'Scam Center Strike Force Takes Major Actions Against Southeast Asian Scam Centers Targeting Americans,' independently confirms the 503-domain seizure and adds that authorities seized more than $700 million in cryptocurrency connected to laundering proceeds from fraud against U.S. victims. OFAC's 'Counter Terrorism, Counter Narcotics, and Cyber-related Designations; Issuance of Cyber-related General License' page corroborates the date and existence of the Kok An sanctions action. The only caveat is attribution: the user text says 'According to the U.S. Treasury' for all elements, while the $700 million seizure is specifically reported by DOJ in the coordinated action rather than solely by Treasury. Substantively, however, the claim is supported by official U.S. sources.

Summary

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Cambodian senator Kok An and a network of 28 associated entities over alleged ties to a large-scale crypto scam and trafficking-linked operation in Cambodia. The action, announced by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, adds to a broader U.S. enforcement effort previously described as targeting scam compounds in Cambodia and Burma/Myanmar, alongside criminal charges, cryptocurrency restraint or seizure, and disruption of online scam infrastructure. Earlier official actions tied the broader network to fraud targeting U.S. victims and linked the campaign to more than $700 million in cryptocurrency that authorities said was restrained or seized, 503 illicit domains or scam websites, and Telegram-linked infrastructure. The FBI previously said Operation Level Up identified 8,935 victims and prevented an estimated $563 million in additional losses.

Terms & Concepts

OFAC: The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions.
Sanctions: Government restrictions that can freeze assets and prohibit transactions with designated people or entities.
Scam compounds: Sites used by organized fraud networks where workers may be coerced or trafficked into running online investment or impersonation scams.