Practice areas
Financial crime, CAFIU matters and AML/CFT compliance
Me Pen Sophea acts for individuals and businesses at every stage: before an investigation, during proceedings and in building compliance systems that prevent problems.
Financial criminal defense
Being summoned, questioned or charged in a financial case is serious. Early, informed advice often shapes everything that follows.
Matters handled
- Money laundering
- Fraud and swindling
- Breach of trust
- Embezzlement and misappropriation of funds
- Financial cybercrime (online fraud, scam networks, payment fraud)
- Related offences: forgery and use of forged documents, receiving proceeds of crime
How Me Pen Sophea helps
- Advice before and during police or judicial questioning
- Analysis of the case file, bank records and transaction flows
- Defense before the investigating judge and at trial
- Applications concerning seized or frozen assets
- Representation of victims as civil parties
CAFIU and suspicious transactions
The Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit (CAFIU) receives suspicious transaction reports from banks and other reporting entities. A report, a request for information or a blocked account can have major consequences for a person or a company.
Typical situations
- Your bank has blocked or frozen an account or a transfer
- You have received a request for information or documents
- Your company is a reporting entity and must handle a suspicious transaction
- Assets have been frozen and you need to understand the procedure
How Me Pen Sophea helps
- Explains the legal framework and what is being asked of you
- Helps prepare complete, accurate and timely responses
- Documents the lawful origin of funds
- Assists with requests concerning frozen assets before the competent authorities
- Protects your rights throughout the process
AML/CFT compliance and advice
Since the 2020 Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism, many businesses and professions in Cambodia must identify their clients, keep records and report suspicious transactions.
For whom
- Companies and reporting entities subject to the 2020 AML/CFT law
- Business owners and investors who want to secure their transactions
- Individuals facing a request from their bank or the authorities
- Victims of fraud who want to protect their interests
How Me Pen Sophea helps
- Review and drafting of AML/CFT policies and procedures
- Customer due diligence and beneficial ownership questions
- Reporting obligations: when and how to report
- Assistance when the authorities request information
Me Pen Sophea is an independent lawyer. He is not an official, agent or representative of the Cambodia Financial Intelligence Unit (CAFIU), the National Bank of Cambodia or any other public authority, and he cannot obtain decisions from them on anyone's behalf.
Discuss your situation in confidence
Appointments in Phnom Penh or by video call, in Khmer or English.
Request an appointment