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

According to the U.S. Treasury, Cambodian senator Kok An and 28 linked individuals and entities were sanctioned on June 23 over a crypto scam network in Cambodia, and authorities seized 503 illicit domains tied to fraud and trafficking activity.

Fact Check
The substantive claim is strongly supported by the Treasury press release at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469, which says OFAC designated Kok An and 28 linked individuals and entities and that authorities seized 503 fraudulent web domains tied to cryptocurrency investment fraud. The DOJ release, 'Scam Center Strike Force Takes Major Actions Against Southeast Asian Scam Centers Targeting Americans,' corroborates the coordinated enforcement action. However, the claim says this happened on June 23, while Treasury and Reuters indicate the action was announced on 2026-04-23. Because the main facts are supported but the date is contradicted by the primary source, the overall assessment is conflicting_evidence.
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Summary

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Cambodian senator Kok An and 28 related individuals and entities on June 23 over a crypto scam network operating in Cambodia. Treasury said the network was linked to fraud and trafficking activity, and authorities seized 503 illicit domains connected to the operation. The update refines the scale of the domain seizures from earlier reporting that said more than 500 domains were taken down.

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.
  • Crypto scam network: A fraud operation that uses cryptocurrency-related schemes or platforms to deceive victims and steal funds.