US plans to sanction prominent Cambodians linked to scam factories

At least one high-profile person close to Cambodia’s top political leaders is among those that would be targeted, sources say

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People on the waterfront of Phnom Penh. The sanctions by the US would come during a delicate phase in the relations between the US and Cambodia. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 5:21pm, 12 Sep 2024

The United States is considering imposing sanctions as early as this week on prominent Cambodians, including one person close to the ruling party, over alleged links to online scams and human trafficking, two people briefed on the matter by US officials told Reuters.

The move, which has not previously been reported, would come during a delicate phase in the relations between the United States and Cambodia, after Phnom Penh started works on a China-backed canal that would divert water from the fragile Mekong River. The project has triggered criticism from US officials.

Cambodia has been strengthening military cooperation with Beijing, which sent warships to the Southeast Asian nation earlier this year and is backing the expansion of a key naval base.

Ferries sail along the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. Cambodia started works on a China-backed canal that would divert water from the fragile Mekong River. Photo: AFP

The two sources, who were briefed on the matter, said at least one high-profile person close to Cambodia’s top political leaders is among the individuals that would be targeted.

Spokespeople for Cambodia’s government and foreign ministry did not answer phone calls or respond to messages seeking comment.

A US Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment. The US embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond to a request for comment.

Reuters was not able to confirm the identity of the targeted individuals nor the type of sanctions they would face.

The sources declined to be named as the information was not public.