US Prepares Sanctions Against Online Scammers; Ex-Thai Minister Named
The US House of Representatives is preparing sanctions under the Magnitsky Act against international online scammer networks, with a former Thai minister among those targeted, after Thai authorities failed to act on submitted evidence.
On September 16, Korn Chatikavanij, a Democrat party list MP and deputy party leader, posted on his Facebook page regarding a cross-border hot issue: coordinated efforts to crack down on online scammer operations causing serious damage to US citizens. Korn stated that within hours, details would be revealed about a signature document signed by two major committee chairs of the US House of Representatives: Brian Mast, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and John Moolenaar, chairman of the Special Committee on China. The signatures represent a call for the US government to invoke the Magnitsky Act, a law that imposes penalties and sanctions on foreign nationals who commit serious offenses, to prosecute and manage all those connected to international scammer networks. Korn further stated that among those submitted to US authorities for action is a former minister from the Anutin Charnvirakul government. "Despite our previous efforts—mine, the Democrat party's, and the parliamentary finance committee—to compile and submit all evidence to the Securities and Exchange Commission, there has been no progress or action from Thailand's side. Foreign authorities have run out of patience and are now taking matters into their own hands," Korn said.
