October 14, 2025 10:55 PM IST
First published on: Oct 14, 2025 at 10:47 PM IST
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Victims were often tricked into fake romantic relationships and persuaded to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. (Photo: X/@Myanmar_Now_Eng)
Britain and the United States have imposed sanctions on a Southeast Asia-based network accused of operating large-scale online ‘scam centres’ that exploited trafficked workers, according to Reuters.
What exactly happened?
The British government said the scam operations, based in Cambodia, Myanmar and across the region, used fake job adverts to lure workers. Those recruited were later forced to commit online fraud under threats of violence.
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Victims were often tricked into fake romantic relationships and persuaded to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms.
“The masterminds behind these scam centres are ruining lives and buying up London homes to store their money,” said British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper, as quoted by Reuters.
Why were the sanctions imposed?
The US Treasury Department said it had launched its largest-ever sanctions action in Southeast Asia, targeting 146 people linked to the Prince Group criminal organisation, which Britain also sanctioned.
Britain imposed measures on six individuals and six entities, including Chinese-Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi, the 38-year-old chair of the Prince Group. Both governments accused him of overseeing the construction of compounds used for online scams.
Who is Chen Zhi?
Chen was indicted on 8 October in a Brooklyn federal court on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, court papers showed.
US prosecutors said Chen and his associates ran forced-labour camps in Cambodia, where people were held against their will to carry out cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes. Chen allegedly laundered the proceeds through online gambling and cryptocurrency mining companies.
What authorities have seized?
Prosecutors said they had seized around 127,271 Bitcoin, worth about $14.2 billion, in funds linked to the crimes. They are now seeking court approval to take permanent control of the assets, describing it as the largest forfeiture action in US Department of Justice history.
Prince Group and Chen Zhi have not responded to requests for comment, Reuters said.
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Victims were often tricked into fake romantic relationships and persuaded to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. (Photo: X/@Myanmar_Now_Eng) 
