Ly Yong Phat is a senator from the ruling party, an adviser to former prime minister Hun Sen and the owner of a hotel implicated in a major scam call centre.
The United States has announced sanctions on one of Cambodia’s most powerful politicians and business tycoons for his alleged deep involvement in the country’s rampant online scam industry.
Cambodian businessman Ly Yong Phat, the president of the LYP Group, left attends a ceremony for the return of artefacts at Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.Non-government organisations accuse Ly of leveraging his government positions to enrich himself and his family over decades with land grabs, environmental destruction and various legal and illegal business enterprises.
“Victims reported being lured to O-Smach Resort with false employment opportunities, having their phones and passports confiscated upon arrival, and being forced to work scam operations,” a Treasury statement said.“People who called for help reported being beaten, abused with electric shocks, made to pay a hefty ransom, or threatened with being sold to other online scam gangs. There have been two reports of victims jumping to their deaths from buildings within O‑Smach Resort.
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