After shutting down a compound previously reported by CamboJA News as linked to scams and human trafficking, Takeo provincial authorities said Friday they will hand the heavily fortified facility to the Interior Ministry to serve as an immigration holding center.
Known as “Mango Park 2” among transnational crime watchdogs, the Takeo compound is nine kilometers from a similarly named site in Kampong Speu that was previously raided. Amnesty International has also identified the facility as a hub for scams.
The seizure and repurposing come as the government pursues a nationwide sweep of scam networks following rising international pressure and sanctions. Anti-trafficking and transnational crime experts have described the enforcement as significant but urged investigations into connected elites and thorough screening of those detained, citing the networks’ reliance on forced or coerced labor.
Takeo authorities said in a press release that the 348-room Mango Park 2 was shut down in July last year in coordination with the Commission for Combating Online Scams, but was only handed over on Friday to the General Department of Immigration, under the Interior Ministry, to hold foreigners ahead of deportation.
Takeo provincial police chief Men Ly and provincial governor Vei Samnang could not be immediately reached for comment.
General Chuon Sovann, deputy secretary of the Commission for Combating Online Scams, who has led the enforcement drive against scam networks, declined to comment, saying he was busy at a meeting.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak and General Department of Immigration spokesperson Sok Somnea did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In its statement, Takeo authorities listed the facility’s official name as Sopheakmit Residence Co., Ltd. Archives of Ministry of Commerce business registry data, currently inaccessible, show a firm with the same name and address.
Calls to the listed number for Chairman Mom Mony bounced back, and CamboJA News did not receive a response to an email sent to the registered address.
