US slaps more sanctions on Cambodia’s alleged scam group affiliates

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: The United States has imposed sanctions on dozens of companies and individuals linked to an alleged Cambodia-based cyberscam group and a network in Madagascar that targeted Americans.

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Thursday on four people and 41 companies tied to the Prince Group, a Cambodian firm accused of running a billion-dollar scam operation.

The Southeast Asian country has emerged as a hub for crime syndicates running fake romantic relationship and cryptocurrency investment schemes in which scammers — some willing, others trafficked — defraud Internet users around the world.

But under pressure from several countries including the United States, Britain and China, Cambodian authorities say they are cracking down on the industry.