Amid border dispute, Thailand goes after Cambodian tycoon over alleged cyber scam ties

Thai police raided seven properties on Tuesday allegedly connected to a prominent Cambodian senator and tycoon accused of involvement in the online scamming industry. 

The raids were the latest action taken against the politically connected businessman, Kok An, amid a deepening diplomatic row between Cambodia and Thailand that began over a border spat and has led to the suspension of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. 

According to the Bangkok Post, police raided two houses in Sa Kaeo province belonging to two women who authorities say help manage a high-rise scam compound in the Cambodian border city of Poipet. The compound is run by one of Kok’s daughters, Juree Khlongkijjakol, the authorities allege. 

Police also raided two offices and a house in Bangkok allegedly connected to Juree, as well as an office and residence tied to her sister, Phu Chelin. On Monday, police issued arrest warrants for Kok’s daughters and his son, who they identified as Kittisak, for their alleged involvement in transnational crime. 

They issued an arrest warrant earlier in July for Kok — the owner of a cluster of properties in Poipet, including Crown Casino Resort — and announced that they would ask Interpol to issue a Red Notice for his detention.

On July 8, Thai police raided 19 properties allegedly connected to Kok’s scam network and seized assets worth more than $33.8 million, the Bangkok Post reported.

Since tensions escalated between the two countries over a disputed border area in late May, the Thai government has stepped up criticisms of the cyber scamming industry in Cambodia and closed its border under the pretense of protecting the country from transnational crime. 

On Sunday, Cambodian Senate President and former Prime Minister Hun Sen hit back at the accusations. 

“I urge Thai politicians to stop blaming Cambodia without evidence, while turning a blind eye to their own country, which has become a haven for scam syndicates, drug traffickers, and money-laundering networks,” he said on social media.  

Amnesty International recently released a scathing report about the scamming problem in Cambodia, identifying more than 50 compounds operating in the country and interviewing survivors who were trafficked into the facilities and forced to carry out scams. 

Influential businesspeople with close ties to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party have been implicated in the industry, including an advisor to the prime minister who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in September over human rights abuses.