The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on Cambodian senator Kok An and 28 associates accused of orchestrating large-scale romance scams that defrauded American citizens of millions of dollars.

The Treasury Department said Kok An exploited his political influence to shield scam centres, where trafficked workers were forced under threat of violence to lure victims into fake digital asset investments. His business empire, including Crown Resorts, allegedly provided cover for these operations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stressed that tackling fraud is a top priority for the Trump administration, vowing to pursue scam networks “no matter where they operate or how well-connected they are.” The newly formed Scam Center Strike Force also announced charges against operators in Myanmar and Cambodia, while seizing a messaging app used to recruit victims and more than 500 fraudulent domains.

The State Department has offered up to $10 million for information leading to the recovery of funds linked to a sanctioned scam compound in Burma. Cambodian authorities have yet to comment on the measures, which mark one of Washington’s most direct actions against alleged cyber fraud networks in Southeast Asia.

At the heart of the crackdown lies a growing concern over the intersection of human trafficking and online fraud, with thousands reportedly coerced into schemes that siphon billions from unsuspecting victims worldwide. The sanctions signal Washington’s intent to dismantle these networks and hold powerful figures accountable.

-2026-04-26

Senator Kok An looks like a real kok, that's for sure.