The US government imposed sanctions on a Cambodian senator, alleging he is connected to a large scam network. This action comes as Southeast Asian nations face pressure to eliminate the multi-billion dollar cybercrime industry.

The US government has imposed sanctions on a Cambodian senator alleging he is at the heart of a sprawling scam network, as the Southeast Asian nation comes under intense pressure – including from China – to eliminate a cybercrime industry worth nearly US$20 billion a year. The US Treasury tagged Senator Kok An, a tycoon with close ties to former leader Hun Sen whose son is now prime minister, and 28 other associates as “specially designated nationals” suspected of controlling “scam compounds...