The United States has levied sanctions against a prominent member of Cambodia’s ruling party, accusing him of overseeing sprawling scam operations within the country.
Kok An, a senator with the Cambodian People’s Party and a close adviser to former Prime Minister Hun Sen, was among 29 individuals and entities blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury Department on April 23. The move also targets two financial institutions linked to his network.
According to the Treasury, Kok An owns casinos, resorts, and various properties across Cambodia that were repurposed for large-scale fraud activities. Many of the thousands of individuals employed in these schemes were reportedly held against their will.
Authorities noted that fraudsters often use deceptive tactics, such as feigning romantic interest or friendship, to lure American victims into transferring digital assets under the guise of investment opportunities. In some cases, the perpetrators themselves are victims of human trafficking, coerced into committing crimes under the threat of violence.
The Treasury further alleged that Kok An supplied services and personnel for these compounds through his conglomerate, Anco Brothers Co Ltd., which maintains gaming licenses for the properties. It was noted that nearly every major scam hub in Cambodia is linked to casinos, which facilitate money laundering.
Kok An could not be reached for comment, and a representative at Anco Brothers’ Phnom Penh office declined to speak on the matter. Corporate records indicate he stepped down as the company’s chairman in January.
Cambodia has emerged as a haven for Asian organized crime networks during the long rule of the Hun family. Hun Sen held power from 1985 until 2023, when his son, Hun Manet, assumed office. The current administration initiated a crackdown on scam centers last year, with Manet stating it would conclude this month.
In March, authorities raided 200 such facilities and repatriated nearly 10,000 foreign workers. Additionally, 79 legal cases were opened involving almost 700 suspected syndicate leaders and associates, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Critics, however, argue the government has failed to address the involvement of its own citizens in these operations. Seng Vanly, an advocacy director for the Khmer Democracy Organisation, argued that the sanctions highlight the government’s claim that such crimes are solely the work of foreign groups is false. He called for the removal of Kok An’s parliamentary immunity and a transparent, independent criminal probe.
A ministry spokesman, Touch Sokhak, declined to specify actions against Kok An, stating that investigations into technology-based fraud are ongoing without targeting specific individuals.
Separately, Rithy Raksmei, a politically connected business figure and alleged associate of Kok An, was also sanctioned along with several of his companies. The Treasury accused him of leveraging political ties to expand his business interests, build casinos, and avoid accountability for providing space for fraud and human trafficking.