The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned Cambodian senator and businessman Kok An, along with 28 individuals and entities linked to his network, over allegations that casinos, resorts and office parks under his control were used as bases for large-scale cyber scam operations targeting Americans.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the network operated scam compounds across Cambodia and used digital asset investment fraud, romance-style approaches and fake high-return opportunities to steal money from victims. The Treasury Department said some workers carrying out the scams were also victims, having been trafficked into compounds and forced to defraud people under threats of violence.

“Eliminating fraud is a top priority for the Trump Administration,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Treasury will continue to target fraudsters and scam centers that steal billions of dollars from hardworking Americans, no matter where they operate or how well-connected they are.”

The action was taken in coordination with the Scam Center Strike Force, which includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.

Casinos Linked to Fraud Compounds

The Treasury described Kok An as the owner of numerous properties across Cambodia that house scam centers. His flagship hospitality company, Crown Resorts, owns casinos, resorts and buildings in Poipet, Sihanoukville, Bavet and other cities. The department said those properties had been converted into compounds used for digital asset investment fraud and other schemes.

The sanctioned network also includes Anco Brothers Co Ltd, a business conglomerate linked to Kok An. Treasury said Anco Brothers provides services and employees to the compounds, including uniformed security guards, and holds the casino licences for properties used by the network.

“Kok An and his affiliates’ network of scam centers, operating out of casinos and office parks retrofitted for fraudulent activity, launder victims’ funds and provide a base to target US citizens and commit human rights abuses with impunity,” Treasury said.

The department also noted that nearly all major scam compounds in Cambodia are linked to casinos, which it said are used to launder scam proceeds.

The schemes described by U.S. authorities often begin through messages that create a sense of friendship or romance. Victims are then encouraged to transfer savings into digital assets through fake investment platforms controlled by scammers.

The Treasury Department said Americans lost at least $10 billion in 2024 to Southeast Asia-based scam operations, a 66% increase from the previous year. Some individual victims lost millions of dollars or their entire savings.

Authorities also described a second group of victims: workers recruited under false promises of legitimate technology or customer service jobs. Once inside compounds, operators allegedly confiscate passports and use debt bondage, violence, threats of forced prostitution, and other coercive tactics to force them into scam activity.

Human trafficking victims at these sites have reported daily quotas and physical punishment if they fail to meet targets.

Wider Network Also Targeted

The sanctions also target Rithy Raksmei, who the Treasury identified as the head of K99 Culture and Media Co Ltd, also known as K99 Group. The company owns casino-linked properties where trafficking victims were allegedly forced to scam Americans and others.

According to the Treasury Department, reports from people held at K99 Group sites and from scam victims indicate that criminal groups operated digital asset investment fraud from those locations, with perpetrators posing as romantic interests before pushing targets toward fake trading platforms.

Other entities named include Xing Tian Di Co Ltd, Nan Tian International Hotel Co Ltd, Xihu Resort Hotel Co Ltd, Heng Feng Group Co Ltd and Heng Feng Cambodia Bank plc. Individuals including Aik Paung, Sai Aung Linn and Luo Hong were also designated.

The Treasury Department also sanctioned Brilliancy Sihanoukville Investment and Development Co Ltd, also known as Bolai, which it said operated a casino and scam compound linked to K99 Group. Authorities alleged that Bolai also used social media channels and gambling websites to help criminals move funds and launder money across borders.

As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated people and entities that are in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Entities owned 50% or more by blocked persons are also subject to restrictions.

U.S. persons are generally prohibited from doing business with the sanctioned parties unless authorised or exempted by the OFAC. The Treasury Department also warned that sanctions violations may lead to civil or criminal penalties.

The move follows several earlier U.S. actions targeting Southeast Asian scam operations. In October 2025, the OFAC sanctioned the Prince Group as a transnational criminal organisation, along with 146 associated persons. Other actions in 2024 and 2025 targeted companies and individuals in Cambodia and Burma accused of links to trafficking and cyber scams.