US sanctions Kok An, 28 others for crypto fraud
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- U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Cambodian senator Kok An and 28 other individuals and entities for crypto‑romance scams that stole millions of dollars from U.S. citizens.
- Kok An used his political connections to protect a network of scam centers and operators that lured vulnerable Americans into sending digital assets, promising high returns, then stole the funds outright.
- Crown Resorts, owned by Kok An, housed scam compounds where victims of human trafficking were forced under threat of violence to steal money from Americans.
- Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary, said eliminating fraud is a top priority for the Trump administration and pledged continued targeting of fraudsters and scam centers.
- Scam Center Strike Force announced charges against two Chinese nationals involved in cryptocurrency investment fraud at a Myanmar scam compound; the men were arrested in Thailand in 2026 on immigration charges.
- Scam Center Strike Force seized a social‑media messaging app used to recruit human‑trafficking victims and 503 fraudulent web domains used for cryptocurrency investment fraud.
- U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to seizure or recovery of scam proceeds related to a separate Myanmar scam compound sanctioned last November.
Why it matters: The sanctions strip Kok An and his protected scam network of legal shielding, directly hitting the operators who stole millions from U.S. citizens and signaling that the Trump administration will pursue fraudsters abroad regardless of political ties. Victims stand to recover funds while the illicit pipeline is disrupted.
