Verify a decision

{"actor":"system:backfill","investigation_id":"881607ae-2103-4241-a152-d733b4f4f908","kind":"publish","page_slug":"kok-an-crown-resorts-anco-brothers","published_at":"2026-06-07T22:10:51.596Z","sequence_num":1,"snapshot":{"content_type":"investigation","entity_name":"Kok An / Crown Resorts / Anco Brothers","sections":[{"content":"On April 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Cambodian Senator Kok An and 28 associated individuals and entities under Executive Orders 13694 (as amended) and 14144, which target significant malicious cyber-enabled activities. The action was coordinated with the DOJ Scam Center Strike Force — a joint initiative of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, the DOJ Criminal Division, the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service. OFAC stated that Kok An 'owns numerous companies and properties throughout Cambodia that house scam centers, through which his network has stolen millions of dollars from U.S. victims' through digital asset investment fraud. The 29-target action designated five key individuals and 24 businesses. The five designated individuals are: (1) Kok An, Cambodian senator and businessman; (2) Rithy Raksmei, Cambodian national directing K99 Culture and Media Co Ltd and the K99 Group brand; (3) Aik Paung, Myanmar national with naturalized Cambodian citizenship directing 12 companies in Cambodia; (4) Sai Aung Linn, Myanmar national with naturalized Cambodian citizenship directing 12 companies; and (5) Luo Hong, Chinese national with naturalized Cambodian citizenship directing Bolai (Brilliancy Sihanoukville Investment and Development Co Ltd). The 24 designated entities span casinos, banking, real estate, utilities, and construction. All U.S.-jurisdictional assets of designated parties are blocked, and U.S. persons are prohibited from transacting with them. The U.S. State Department issued a complementary statement describing the action as part of broader U.S. efforts to impose sanctions on online scam centers in Southeast Asia.","heading":"OFAC Designations (April 23, 2026)","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An and Scam Center Network Defrauding Americans — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Counter Terrorism, Counter Narcotics, and Cyber-related Designations — OFAC Recent Actions, April 23 2026","type":"regulatory","url":"https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260423"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Imposing Sanctions on Online Scam Centers in Southeast Asia — U.S. State Department","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/04/imposing-sanctions-on-online-scam-centers-in-southeast-asia-2"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The five men and 24 businesses in Kok An sanctions — Mekong Independent","type":"news_article","url":"https://mekongindependent.com/2026/05/the-five-men-and-24-businesses-in-kok-an-sanctions/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"OFAC Sanctions-palooza, Part 1: the Designations — Mr. Sanctions","type":"research","url":"https://mrsanctions.com/2026/04/23/ofac-sanctions-palooza-part-1-the-designations/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action — Federal Register","type":"regulatory","url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-08151.pdf"}]},{"content":"Kok An (also written Phu Kok An; Chinese: 符國安) was born on July 7, 1954, in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia. He is of Sino-Cambodian ethnicity and holds dual nationality in Cambodia and Thailand, though his Thai nationality was revoked in November 2025 (see below). He holds the honorific title 'Okhna,' awarded by the Cambodian state for significant economic contributions. He has served as a Senator for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) since 2006. He is widely regarded as one of Cambodia's ten wealthiest individuals, with business interests spanning casinos, hospitality, tobacco distribution (sole distributor of British American Tobacco products), water (Evian distribution and Anco Water Supply), beer (Budweiser), fishing, real estate, banking, and electrical utilities. He controls at least 11 companies in Cambodia. His relationship with former Prime Minister and current Senate President Hun Sen has been described as 'close' by multiple news outlets and was noted in a 2007 U.S. Embassy cable that described Kok An as a 'gambling kingpin.' A 2025 report by Thai police described him as a 'close associate of former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.' His son Phu Sae Ping is married to Ly Yaowalak, child of Cambodian senator Ly Yong Phat, who was himself designated by OFAC in September 2024 for separate scam-center and human-trafficking-related activities.","heading":"Subject Background: Kok An","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An — Wikipedia","type":"other","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kok_An"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An: The kingpin of Poipet linked to Cambodian former leader — Nation Thailand","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40052304"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Senator and gangster sidekick of Cambodia's Hun Sen, known as the Godfather of Poipet, hunted down — Thai Examiner","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/07/11/senator-and-gangster-sidekick-of-cambodias-hun-sen-known-as-the-godfather-of-poipet-hunted-by-police/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An and Scam Center Network Defrauding Americans — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"}]},{"content":"Crown Resorts Co Ltd is Kok An's flagship hospitality and casino company. It owns and operates casino complexes, resorts, and commercial buildings across multiple Cambodian border cities including Poipet (Thai border), Sihanoukville (coastal), and Bavet (Vietnamese border). The Crown Casino complex in Poipet, established in 1999, includes five casinos and multiple high-rise buildings. OFAC stated that Crown Resorts properties have been 'converted into compounds from which criminal organizations conduct digital asset investment fraud.' Anco Brothers Co Ltd is described as a diversified business conglomerate. According to OFAC, Anco Brothers 'provides services and employees to scam compounds — including uniformed security guards — and holds the license for the casinos operating on the properties.' In Sihanoukville, victims interviewed by VOD English specifically identified uniformed security guards wearing Anco Water Supply uniforms at what they described as the 'Crown Compound.' Beyond Crown Resorts and Anco Brothers, the designated empire includes: Anco Specialized Bank Ltd (financial institution); Anco Water Supply Co Ltd; 855 Investment Corporation; A Wee Trading Co Ltd; Khmer Electrical Power Co Ltd; Mekong Potable Water Construction Import Export Co Ltd; and Kep Hydropower SVTK and MSRC Co Ltd. Amnesty International, in a separate April 2026 report, named Crown casinos in Poipet, Bavet, and Chrey Thum — all operated by Anco Brothers Co Ltd — as among at least 12 Cambodian casinos directly linked to locations where torture, forced labor, and trafficking had been documented.","heading":"Crown Resorts and the Anco Brothers Business Empire","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An and Scam Center Network Defrauding Americans — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"},{"credibility":2,"name":"OFAC Sanctions Cambodian Senator and Scam Center Network — TRM Labs","type":"research","url":"https://www.trmlabs.com/resources/blog/ofac-sanctions-cambodian-senator-and-scam-center-network-targeting-americans-with-digital-asset-fraud"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Victims Allege Sihanoukville Precincts With Ties to Major Businesses Are Sites of Scams, Torture, Detention — VOD English","type":"news_article","url":"https://vodenglish.news/victims-allege-sihanoukville-precincts-with-ties-to-major-businesses-are-sites-of-scams-torture-detention/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Cambodia: Casinos get state approval despite links to human rights abuse at scamming compounds — Amnesty International","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/04/cambodia-casinos-get-state-approval-despite-links-to-human-rights-abuse-at-scamming-compounds/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Crown Resorts Poipet — Cyber Scam Monitor","type":"research","url":"https://cyberscammonitor.net/profile/crown-resorts-poipet/"}]},{"content":"According to OFAC, the Kok An network's scam compounds coerce human-trafficking victims into targeting Americans with 'digital asset investment fraud' under threat of violence. The scheme employed is commonly called 'pig butchering' (sha zhu pan): fraudsters build false romantic or friendship relationships with targets over weeks or months, then persuade them to invest growing sums into fake cryptocurrency platforms, before stealing all deposited funds. OFAC stated that operators at Kok An-controlled properties 'confiscate their passports and use debt bondage, physical violence, the threat of forced prostitution, and other methods to coerce them to scam strangers online.' Victims interviewed by VOD English described being trafficked to compounds where they were required to work 12-18 hour shifts, were subjected to physical punishment for failing to meet daily contact quotas, were charged money for bathroom use, and in at least one case were handcuffed to beds. One victim reported considering jumping from a building to escape. Bolai (Brilliancy Sihanoukville), a separately designated entity within the broader action, is specifically described by OFAC as coercing trafficking victims into scam operations while simultaneously operating social media channels and gambling websites to launder proceeds. According to Chainalysis, a US-based money laundering cell associated with the broader network moved 'over USD 73 million in victim funds' generated through digital asset investment scams. The FBI reported that Americans lost at least $7.2 billion to pig-butchering scams in 2025 alone, while Chainalysis estimates Americans lost at least $10 billion to Southeast Asia-based scam centers in 2024 — a 66 percent increase over the prior year.","heading":"Pig Butchering Operations and Human Trafficking Allegations","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An and Scam Center Network Defrauding Americans — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"},{"credibility":2,"name":"U.S. Crackdown on Southeast Asian Crypto Scam Centers — Chainalysis","type":"research","url":"https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/asian-scam-centers-crypto-fraud-april-2026/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Victims Allege Sihanoukville Precincts With Ties to Major Businesses Are Sites of Scams, Torture, Detention — VOD English","type":"news_article","url":"https://vodenglish.news/victims-allege-sihanoukville-precincts-with-ties-to-major-businesses-are-sites-of-scams-torture-detention/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Scam Center Strike Force Takes Major Actions Against Southeast Asian Scam Centers Targeting Americans — DOJ","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/scam-center-strike-force-takes-major-actions-against-southeast-asian-scam-centers-targeting"}]},{"content":"OFAC and Chainalysis describe casino operations as the primary laundering mechanism for scam proceeds in the Kok An network. Chainalysis stated that 'nearly all major scam compounds in Cambodia are connected to casinos, which serve to launder the proceeds of scams.' Crown Resorts and Anco Brothers are specifically identified as holding casino licenses for properties also used as scam compounds, with rental income and casino revenues providing the laundering channel. Bolai (Brilliancy Sihanoukville) operates social media channels and gambling websites that enable criminals to move funds across borders. Heng Feng Cambodia Bank plc — a designated financial institution controlled by sanctioned associate Sai Aung Linn — demonstrates the network's banking-layer laundering capability. The DOJ's Scam Center Strike Force, operating in parallel with the OFAC designations, announced the restraint of over $701.9 million in cryptocurrency tied to the laundering of stolen victim funds, achieved through U.S. legal process and voluntary actions by cryptocurrency service providers. The Strike Force also seized 503 fraudulent cryptocurrency investment websites and one Telegram channel with more than 6,000 followers that had been used to recruit human-trafficking victims to scam compounds in Cambodia.","heading":"Crypto Laundering Infrastructure","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"U.S. Crackdown on Southeast Asian Crypto Scam Centers — Chainalysis","type":"research","url":"https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/asian-scam-centers-crypto-fraud-april-2026/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Scam Center Strike Force Takes Major Actions Against Southeast Asian Scam Centers Targeting Americans — DOJ","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/scam-center-strike-force-takes-major-actions-against-southeast-asian-scam-centers-targeting"},{"credibility":2,"name":"OFAC Sanctions Cambodian Senator and Scam Center Network — TRM Labs","type":"research","url":"https://www.trmlabs.com/resources/blog/ofac-sanctions-cambodian-senator-and-scam-center-network-targeting-americans-with-digital-asset-fraud"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Global Crackdown Arrests 276, Shuts 9 Crypto Scam Centers, Seizes $701M — The Hacker News","type":"news_article","url":"https://thehackernews.com/2026/05/global-crackdown-arrests-276-shuts-9.html"}]},{"content":"Prior to the April 2026 OFAC designations, Thailand had independently initiated a major law enforcement campaign against Kok An. On July 7, 2025, the Thai Criminal Court issued arrest warrant No. 3924/2568 charging Kok An with participation in a transnational criminal organization. Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) stated that Kok An's 25-story and 18-story buildings in Poipet 'are used as command centres for the call centre gang, with Chinese nationals renting the spaces to deceive victims.' The Hiso Skybar in the same complex allegedly operated 'a casino and various forms of online gambling operations, with many Thai nationals reportedly working there.' On July 8, 2025, Thai police conducted coordinated raids across 19 locations in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, seizing assets valued at over 1.17 billion baht (approximately $33.8 million). A second round of raids on July 15, 2025, targeted seven additional properties linked to Kok An's three children. A luxury home in Bangkok's Prawet District, co-owned by Kok An's daughter Juree 'Cherry' Klongkitjakon, was among properties seized. Thai police subsequently requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice for Kok An's arrest. In February 2025, a 31-year-old Thai worker died in Kok An's 18-story Poipet building under circumstances alleged to be linked to call-center gang pressure. In November 2025, the Thai Department of Provincial Administration formally revoked the Thai nationality of Kok An and his three children — Juree Klongkitjakon, Phu Cherlin Klongkitjakon (also known as Yulai), and Kittisak Klongkijkul — after finding they had fraudulently registered births in Phon Thong District, Roi Et Province, using Thai nationals who were not their actual parents.","heading":"Thailand Law Enforcement Actions (July–November 2025)","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"Thailand Issues Arrest Warrant for Cambodia Casino Tycoon Kok An — Casino.org","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.casino.org/news/thailand-issues-arrest-warrant-for-cambodia-casino-tycoon-kok-an/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Thai Police Raid More Properties Linked to Cambodian Tycoon — The Diplomat","type":"news_article","url":"https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/thai-police-raid-more-properties-linked-to-cambodian-tycoon/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Court issues warrants for Kok An's children as police raid 7 locations — Nation Thailand","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40052573"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Revocation of Thai nationality for Kok An and his three children — Nation Thailand","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40058172"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Senator and gangster sidekick of Cambodia's Hun Sen, known as the Godfather of Poipet, hunted down — Thai Examiner","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/07/11/senator-and-gangster-sidekick-of-cambodias-hun-sen-known-as-the-godfather-of-poipet-hunted-by-police/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An's Children Obtained Thai Citizenship by Fraud, Run 5 Businesses — Khaosod English","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/11/17/kok-ans-children-obtained-thai-citizenship-by-fraud-run-5-businesses/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Amid border dispute, Thailand goes after Cambodian tycoon over alleged cyber scam ties — The Record (Recorded Future News)","type":"news_article","url":"https://therecord.media/thailand-goes-after-cambodian-tycoon-cyber-scams"}]},{"content":"Prior to the 2025-2026 enforcement actions, Kok An's casino properties had already attracted documented law enforcement attention. On March 3, 2016, Cambodian authorities arrested more than 100 Chinese nationals in a raid at the Golden Crown Casino in Poipet, which is owned by Kok An. The suspects were alleged to be operating a VoIP-enabled 'online kidnapping' or extortion scheme targeting victims in China. Approximately 40 suspects with outstanding Chinese arrest warrants were detained and transferred to Phnom Penh for deportation. This followed earlier arrests in November 2015 (168 Chinese nationals in Cambodia) and August 2015 (22 further individuals) for similar schemes. In 2022, a Thai national was found dead at the Poipet casino complex under circumstances linked to cyber scam operations. These incidents are consistent with the broader pattern identified in the 2026 OFAC designation.","heading":"Earlier Criminal Incidents at Crown Casino Properties","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"Cambodian Authorities Arrest Chinese Involved in Extortion Scheme — Radio Free Asia","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodian-authorities-arrest-chinese-involved-in-extortion-scheme-03032016131752.html"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An — Wikipedia","type":"other","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kok_An"}]},{"content":"The April 2026 OFAC action designated three additional sub-networks beyond the Kok An-controlled entities. Rithy Raksmei directs K99 Culture and Media Co Ltd (the K99 Group), which is described as owning and operating its own scam compounds in Sihanoukville, and which has also supported the development of other fraudulent properties. Xing Tian Di Co Ltd, co-located with K99 casinos, has been cited in trafficking victim reports as the site of 'romance scams, Ponzi schemes, the attempted theft of digital asset wallets, and other online fraud.' Luo Hong, a Chinese national with Cambodian citizenship, founded and directs Bolai (Brilliancy Sihanoukville Investment and Development Co Ltd), which OFAC describes as both a scam compound operator and a money laundering hub running social media channels and gambling websites. Bolai's US-based money laundering cell is described as having moved 'over USD 1.3 million' directly and was linked to a broader ring that moved 'over USD 73 million in victim funds.' Huan Hai Bo Lai International Investment Co Ltd and SSDD Construction Material Co Ltd (both owned by Luo Hong) supported Bolai's expansion. Sai Aung Linn controls Heng Feng Cambodia Bank plc and Heng Feng Group Co Ltd, which are designated as providing financial infrastructure for the broader network. The bank is described as a 'critical node' in moving proceeds from digital asset fraud.","heading":"Associated Designated Entities: K99 Group, Bolai, and Heng Feng","severity":"critical","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An and Scam Center Network Defrauding Americans — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"},{"credibility":2,"name":"OFAC Sanctions Cambodian Senator and Scam Center Network — TRM Labs","type":"research","url":"https://www.trmlabs.com/resources/blog/ofac-sanctions-cambodian-senator-and-scam-center-network-targeting-americans-with-digital-asset-fraud"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The five men and 24 businesses in Kok An sanctions — Mekong Independent","type":"news_article","url":"https://mekongindependent.com/2026/05/the-five-men-and-24-businesses-in-kok-an-sanctions/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"US Sanctions Senator Kok An Over Scam Operations — CamboJA News","type":"news_article","url":"https://cambojanews.com/us-sanctions-senator-kok-an-over-scam-operations/"}]},{"content":"The Kok An designations exist within a larger U.S. and international enforcement campaign against Southeast Asian scam-center networks. The UN Human Rights Office has reported that hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked and are trapped in scam centers across Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, and Thailand. Expert estimates place annual scam revenues from Cambodia alone at up to $19 billion, representing approximately 40 percent of the country's GDP, with broader regional estimates (Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos) ranging from $50 billion to $75 billion annually. In October 2025, OFAC and UK partners announced what they described as the 'largest action ever' against Southeast Asian cybercriminal networks, designating 146 individuals and entities linked to the Prince Group, whose chairman Chen Zhi was subsequently arrested and extradited to China in January 2026. In September 2024, OFAC designated Cambodian senator Ly Yong Phat and his L.Y.P. Group for similar trafficking and scam-center activities — making Kok An the second Cambodian senator sanctioned for scam-related conduct. The U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in October 2025 barred Huione Group from the U.S. financial system, citing its role in laundering at least $4 billion in illicit proceeds from pig-butchering scams and North Korean cybercrime. Cambodia's Commercial Gambling Management Commission approved new casino plans in December 2025 and January 2026, even as at least 12 licensees were directly linked by Amnesty International to documented trafficking and torture. The Cambodian Senate, following Kok An's OFAC designation, claimed he held senatorial immunity; the government spokesperson did not respond to press requests for comment.","heading":"Broader Southeast Asian Scam-Center Ecosystem","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":1,"name":"U.S. and U.K. Take Largest Action Ever Targeting Cybercriminal Networks in Southeast Asia — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0278"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Tycoon and Businesses Linked to Human Trafficking — U.S. Department of the Treasury (Ly Yong Phat, 2024)","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2576"},{"credibility":2,"name":"FinCEN Bars Huione Group from Financial System — Money Laundering Watch","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2025/10/fincen-bars-huione-group-from-financial-system/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Cambodia: Casinos get state approval despite links to human rights abuse at scamming compounds — Amnesty International","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/04/cambodia-casinos-get-state-approval-despite-links-to-human-rights-abuse-at-scamming-compounds/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Scam centers in Cambodia — Wikipedia","type":"other","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scam_centers_in_Cambodia"},{"credibility":2,"name":"US Sanctions Senator Kok An Over Scam Operations — CamboJA News","type":"news_article","url":"https://cambojanews.com/us-sanctions-senator-kok-an-over-scam-operations/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"U.S. Crackdown on Southeast Asian Crypto Scam Centers — Chainalysis","type":"research","url":"https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/asian-scam-centers-crypto-fraud-april-2026/"}]},{"content":"Multiple sources describe Kok An's political connections as central to the alleged protection of his scam-compound network. The U.S. Treasury explicitly stated that he used 'political connections to protect a network of scam operations.' A 2007 U.S. Embassy diplomatic cable, which later became public, described Kok An as a 'gambling kingpin' with close ties to then-Prime Minister Hun Sen. Thai law enforcement described him as a 'close associate of former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen' in 2025 warrants. Following the April 2026 OFAC designation, the Cambodian Senate spokesperson asserted that Kok An had 'immunity' as a Senate member under Cambodian law. Kok An himself could not be reached for comment by news outlets. Hun Sen, who transitioned from Prime Minister to Senate President in 2023, has not publicly commented on the designations. Kok An's son Phu Sae Ping married into the family of Ly Yong Phat (also an OFAC-designated Cambodian senator), illustrating the intermarriage of two of Cambodia's most prominent sanction-listed political families.","heading":"Political Connections and Alleged Protective Influence","severity":"high","sources":[{"credibility":2,"name":"US Government Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An For Involvement in Online Scams — The Diplomat","type":"news_article","url":"https://thediplomat.com/2026/04/us-government-sanctions-cambodian-senator-kok-an-for-involvement-in-online-scams/"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An and Scam Center Network Defrauding Americans — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"},{"credibility":2,"name":"US Sanctions Senator Kok An Over Scam Operations — CamboJA News","type":"news_article","url":"https://cambojanews.com/us-sanctions-senator-kok-an-over-scam-operations/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An — Wikipedia","type":"other","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kok_An"}]}],"sources_used":[{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An and Scam Center Network Defrauding Americans — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Counter Terrorism, Counter Narcotics, and Cyber-related Designations — OFAC Recent Actions, April 23 2026","type":"regulatory","url":"https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260423"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action — Federal Register","type":"regulatory","url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-08151.pdf"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Imposing Sanctions on Online Scam Centers in Southeast Asia — U.S. State Department","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/04/imposing-sanctions-on-online-scam-centers-in-southeast-asia-2"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Scam Center Strike Force Takes Major Actions Against Southeast Asian Scam Centers Targeting Americans — DOJ","type":"regulatory","url":"https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/scam-center-strike-force-takes-major-actions-against-southeast-asian-scam-centers-targeting"},{"credibility":1,"name":"U.S. and U.K. Take Largest Action Ever Targeting Cybercriminal Networks in Southeast Asia — U.S. Department of the Treasury","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0278"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Treasury Sanctions Cambodian Tycoon and Businesses Linked to Human Trafficking — U.S. Department of the Treasury (Ly Yong Phat)","type":"regulatory","url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2576"},{"credibility":2,"name":"U.S. Crackdown on Southeast Asian Crypto Scam Centers — Chainalysis","type":"research","url":"https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/asian-scam-centers-crypto-fraud-april-2026/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"OFAC Sanctions Cambodian Senator and Scam Center Network Targeting Americans With Digital Asset Fraud — TRM Labs","type":"research","url":"https://www.trmlabs.com/resources/blog/ofac-sanctions-cambodian-senator-and-scam-center-network-targeting-americans-with-digital-asset-fraud"},{"credibility":1,"name":"Cambodia: Casinos get state approval despite links to human rights abuse at scamming compounds — Amnesty International","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/04/cambodia-casinos-get-state-approval-despite-links-to-human-rights-abuse-at-scamming-compounds/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"US Government Sanctions Cambodian Senator Kok An For Involvement in Online Scams — The Diplomat","type":"news_article","url":"https://thediplomat.com/2026/04/us-government-sanctions-cambodian-senator-kok-an-for-involvement-in-online-scams/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Victims Allege Sihanoukville Precincts With Ties to Major Businesses Are Sites of Scams, Torture, Detention — VOD English","type":"news_article","url":"https://vodenglish.news/victims-allege-sihanoukville-precincts-with-ties-to-major-businesses-are-sites-of-scams-torture-detention/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An — Wikipedia","type":"other","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kok_An"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An: The kingpin of Poipet linked to Cambodian former leader — Nation Thailand","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40052304"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Cyber Police coordinate with Interpol to issue Red Notice for Kok An network — Nation Thailand","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/general/40052351"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Court issues warrants for Kok An's children as police raid 7 locations — Nation Thailand","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40052573"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Revocation of Thai nationality for Kok An and his three children — Nation Thailand","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40058172"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Senator and gangster sidekick of Cambodia's Hun Sen, known as the Godfather of Poipet, hunted down — Thai Examiner","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2025/07/11/senator-and-gangster-sidekick-of-cambodias-hun-sen-known-as-the-godfather-of-poipet-hunted-by-police/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Kok An's Children Obtained Thai Citizenship by Fraud, Run 5 Businesses — Khaosod English","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/11/17/kok-ans-children-obtained-thai-citizenship-by-fraud-run-5-businesses/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Amid border dispute, Thailand goes after Cambodian tycoon over alleged cyber scam ties — The Record (Recorded Future News)","type":"news_article","url":"https://therecord.media/thailand-goes-after-cambodian-tycoon-cyber-scams"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Thailand Issues Arrest Warrant for Cambodia Casino Tycoon Kok An — Casino.org","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.casino.org/news/thailand-issues-arrest-warrant-for-cambodia-casino-tycoon-kok-an/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Thai Police Raid More Properties Linked to Cambodian Tycoon — The Diplomat","type":"news_article","url":"https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/thai-police-raid-more-properties-linked-to-cambodian-tycoon/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"The five men and 24 businesses in Kok An sanctions — Mekong Independent","type":"news_article","url":"https://mekongindependent.com/2026/05/the-five-men-and-24-businesses-in-kok-an-sanctions/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"OFAC Sanctions-palooza, Part 1: the Designations — Mr. Sanctions","type":"research","url":"https://mrsanctions.com/2026/04/23/ofac-sanctions-palooza-part-1-the-designations/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Cambodian Authorities Arrest Chinese Involved in Extortion Scheme — Radio Free Asia","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodian-authorities-arrest-chinese-involved-in-extortion-scheme-03032016131752.html"},{"credibility":2,"name":"US Sanctions Senator Kok An Over Scam Operations — CamboJA News","type":"news_article","url":"https://cambojanews.com/us-sanctions-senator-kok-an-over-scam-operations/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Global Crackdown Arrests 276, Shuts 9 Crypto Scam Centers, Seizes $701M — The Hacker News","type":"news_article","url":"https://thehackernews.com/2026/05/global-crackdown-arrests-276-shuts-9.html"},{"credibility":2,"name":"FinCEN Bars Huione Group from Financial System — Money Laundering Watch","type":"news_article","url":"https://www.moneylaunderingnews.com/2025/10/fincen-bars-huione-group-from-financial-system/"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Scam centers in Cambodia — Wikipedia","type":"other","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scam_centers_in_Cambodia"},{"credibility":2,"name":"Crown Resorts Poipet — Cyber Scam Monitor","type":"research","url":"https://cyberscammonitor.net/profile/crown-resorts-poipet/"}],"summary":"Kok An (born Phu Kok An, 1954) is a Sino-Cambodian senator, businessman, and one of Cambodia's wealthiest individuals, whose flagship companies Crown Resorts and Anco Brothers were designated by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on April 23, 2026, along with 28 other individuals and entities, for allegedly operating and protecting a network of scam compounds that coerce human-trafficking victims into perpetrating 'pig butchering' crypto-investment fraud against American citizens. The designations, made under executive orders targeting significant malicious cyber-enabled activities, freeze all U.S.-linked assets and prohibit Americans from transacting with any designated party. Parallel law enforcement actions by Thailand, including a July 2025 Thai Criminal Court arrest warrant and raids seizing assets worth over 1.17 billion baht, and a November 2025 Thai revocation of Kok An's and his three children's fraudulently obtained Thai nationality, reflect a sustained international enforcement campaign against his network.","timeline":[{"date":"1999-01-01","event":"Crown Resorts casino complex established in Poipet, Cambodia, including five casinos across the border town.","source":"Kok An — Wikipedia / Nation Thailand","source_url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kok_An"},{"date":"2006-01-01","event":"Kok An begins serving as a Senator for the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).","source":"Kok An — Wikipedia","source_url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kok_An"},{"date":"2007-01-01","event":"U.S. Embassy cable describes Kok An as a 'gambling kingpin' with close ties to Prime Minister Hun Sen.","source":"Kok An — Wikipedia / The Diplomat","source_url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kok_An"},{"date":"2015-08-01","event":"Cambodian authorities arrest 22 Chinese nationals for online extortion schemes operating in Cambodia.","source":"Radio Free Asia","source_url":"https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodian-authorities-arrest-chinese-involved-in-extortion-scheme-03032016131752.html"},{"date":"2015-11-01","event":"Cambodian authorities arrest 168 Chinese nationals for online extortion schemes operating in Cambodia.","source":"Radio Free Asia","source_url":"https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodian-authorities-arrest-chinese-involved-in-extortion-scheme-03032016131752.html"},{"date":"2016-03-03","event":"Cambodian authorities raid Kok An's Golden Crown Casino in Poipet, arresting over 100 Chinese nationals operating VoIP-based extortion schemes targeting victims in China.","source":"Radio Free Asia","source_url":"https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodian-authorities-arrest-chinese-involved-in-extortion-scheme-03032016131752.html"},{"date":"2022-01-01","event":"A Thai national is found dead in Kok An's 18-story building in Poipet under circumstances linked to call-center gang operations.","source":"Nation Thailand / Wikipedia","source_url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40052304"},{"date":"2024-09-18","event":"OFAC designates Cambodian senator Ly Yong Phat (Kok An's son's father-in-law) and his L.Y.P. Group for human trafficking and scam-center activities — the first Cambodian senator sanctioned for such conduct.","source":"U.S. Department of the Treasury","source_url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2576"},{"date":"2025-02-01","event":"A 31-year-old Thai worker dies in Kok An's 18-story Poipet building under circumstances alleged to be linked to call-center gang pressure.","source":"Nation Thailand","source_url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40052304"},{"date":"2025-07-07","event":"Thai Criminal Court issues arrest warrant No. 3924/2568 charging Kok An with participation in a transnational criminal organization.","source":"Casino.org / The Record (Recorded Future News)","source_url":"https://www.casino.org/news/thailand-issues-arrest-warrant-for-cambodia-casino-tycoon-kok-an/"},{"date":"2025-07-08","event":"Thai police raid 19 locations in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, seizing assets valued at over 1.17 billion baht (~$33.8 million) linked to Kok An's network.","source":"The Record (Recorded Future News) / Nation Thailand","source_url":"https://therecord.media/thailand-goes-after-cambodian-tycoon-cyber-scams"},{"date":"2025-07-15","event":"Thai Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Kok An's three children (Juree, Phu Cherlin, Kittisak); police raid 7 additional properties.","source":"Nation Thailand","source_url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40052573"},{"date":"2025-10-01","event":"OFAC and UK partners announce 'largest action ever' against Southeast Asian cybercriminal networks, designating 146 individuals and entities in the Prince Group TCO.","source":"U.S. Department of the Treasury","source_url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0278"},{"date":"2025-11-01","event":"Thai authorities revoke Thai nationality of Kok An and his three children after finding they fraudulently registered births in Roi Et Province using fake Thai parents.","source":"Nation Thailand / Khaosod English","source_url":"https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40058172"},{"date":"2025-12-01","event":"Cambodia's Commercial Gambling Management Commission approves casino plans, including for operators linked to scam-compound sites, even as Amnesty International documents ongoing abuses.","source":"Amnesty International","source_url":"https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/04/cambodia-casinos-get-state-approval-despite-links-to-human-rights-abuse-at-scamming-compounds/"},{"date":"2026-04-23","event":"OFAC designates Kok An, Crown Resorts, Anco Brothers, and 26 additional individuals and entities under EO 13694 and EO 14144 for cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking. DOJ Scam Center Strike Force simultaneously restrains $701.9 million in cryptocurrency and seizes 503 fake investment websites.","source":"U.S. Department of the Treasury / DOJ","source_url":"https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0469"}]},"v":1}