EU sanctions kingpin, Myanmar armed group over cyberscams

Karen National Union troops raid a scam centre in the DKBA-controlled village of Minletpan in November 2025 (Photo: KNU) The European Union on Thursday imposed sanctions on an alleged head of a crime syndicate that operated in Cambodia and an armed Myanmar group over cyberscams targeting victims worldwide. Brussels said it was placing “multi-billion-dollar conglomerate” Prince Holding Group and its chair Chen Zhi on an assets freeze and visa ban blacklist for allegedly building “scam centre compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar through different front companies.” “These scam centres perpetrate cryptocurrency investment scams and other fraudulent schemes,” the EU said. “Furthermore, inside these centres, many victims from different countries are trafficked or lured under false pretences, held against their will, and forced to carry out online scams targeting victims around the world.” Prince Group’s China-born founder Chen Zhi was extradited by Phnom Penh to China in January, after his Cambodian conglomerate was sanctioned by the US and UK governments months earlier over its alleged involvement in cyberscams. Cambodia has emerged as a hub for crime syndicates running fake romantic relationship and cryptocurrency investment schemes in which scammers—some willing, others trafficked—defraud internet users around the world. But, under pressure from several countries including the United States, Britain, and China, Cambodian authorities say they are cracking down on the industry. The EU also said it was blacklisting the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), a Myanmar armed group, for “facilitating large-scale scam centres, by allowing these illegal compounds to operate under its protection.” “Soldiers of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army have been reported to participate in violence against victims of human trafficking trapped inside the compound,” the EU said. The DKBA, which controls territory on the Myanmar-Thailand border, was sanctioned by Washington in November. A decade of reporting at a cost In 2025, we marked the 10th anniversary of Myanmar Now. In Myanmar’s history, journalists are often the first targets during political repression. We founded this outlet during a brief window of stability, starting with a small team in a modest office in downtown Yangon. Our goal was simple: to report on injustices that had been silenced for decades. In many countries, justice is sought through courts and police. In Myanmar, these institutions have historically been instruments of oppression. From the start, we committed to reporting without discrimination—regardless of ethnicity, religion, or citizenship. We believe our work should be accurate, deeply sourced, and strong enough to serve as a historical record. We also believe journalism should be a force for positive change, and that our primary readers should be the people of Myanmar. That belief came at a cost. Members of our team and others associated with Myanmar Now have endured long legal battles, physical assaults, arrests, and torture. Despite these hardships, Myanmar Now continues to report the news—thanks to the resilience of our team, the courage of our sources, and the trust of our readers. Please subscribe to support a free press in Myanmar.