EU sanctions 10 over Southeast Asian scam centers

BRUSSELS, July 30, 2026 — The European Union targeted networks linked to scam centers in Cambodia and Myanmar, adding seven people and three entities to its global human rights sanctions list.

The new entries cover the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, a Myanmar armed group, and five of its leaders. Prince Holding Group and Jin Bei Group, along with their chairmen, were also listed. The restrictions took effect upon publication and are directly applicable across EU member states.

The Council linked the operations to trafficking in human beings, forced criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and other serious abuses. Victims were described as having been trafficked or lured under false pretenses, confined and forced to conduct online scams targeting people around the world.

The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army was listed for allowing scam compounds to operate under its protection in areas it controls around Myawaddy, near the Myanmar-Thailand border. Its soldiers were reported to have used violence against trafficked people, while the group provided security and benefited from revenue generated by the operations.

Prince Holding Group was linked to at least 10 scam compounds in Cambodia that conducted cryptocurrency investment scams and other fraudulent schemes. The group denies the allegations and says it is committed to defending itself in every jurisdiction. Jin Bei Group was tied to casinos and related businesses in Sihanoukville, including the Jin Bei 4 scam compound.

The additions expand screening exposure under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The entries include aliases, dates of birth, addresses, positions and organizational links that may affect sanctions-screening matches and internal list maintenance.