A Cambodian senator has denied involvement in scam operations after being sanctioned by the United States, rejecting allegations that he was linked to fraud networks targeting Americans, according to a report by The Straits Times.
Senator Kok An said on Tuesday he had no knowledge of scam activities, following claims by the US Treasury Department that networks operating in Cambodia defrauded US citizens of millions of dollars.
“I do not know about scamming. I am a senator,” he told RFI Khmer radio, denying that most of the sanctioned firms belonged to him or that his companies were involved in fraud.
The Treasury alleged that Kok An and his affiliates operated from casinos and repurposed office parks used for fraudulent activities, laundering funds and facilitating scams targeting Americans. The agency also sanctioned 28 individuals and entities linked to the network.
In a statement issued on April 23rd, the Treasury described Kok An as a “scam center kingpin,” claiming operators under his protection had stolen millions from US victims.
Kok An, a member of Cambodia’s long-ruling party, is also associated with Crown Resorts, a business that owns casinos and other properties in the country.
