Scams In Cambodia

Cambodia is a beautiful country in Southeast Asia with beautiful scenery, temples, and more. The country has grown as a popular destination for backpackers and solo travelers. Cambodia has a few iconic locations that are world-famous like the temples of Angkor and the Killing Fields.

When you visit Cambodia, you need to be aware of the scams that you might encounter when visiting Cambodia. A lot of scams in Cambodia do target tourists mainly in tourist areas. These scams do occur around the temples, in particular, Angkor, local markets, and transport.

In this post, we will go through what to watch out for in Cambodia in terms of scams in Cambodia. So let’s get started!

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While Cambodia is a wonderful place to visit, there are scams that target visitors to Cambodia. These scams can happen anywhere in Cambodia from temples to the local markets and transport.

What are the most common scams that usually occur in Cambodia?

The Fake Police Officer

You may experience this scam in Cambodia where someone like a local Cambodian will act like a real police officer but he is actually a fake one. This scammer will find tourists and then he will stop them. The tourists will not be able to tell that he is a fake police officer.

He will ask for your documents like your visa or passport, then you will be asked to pay some cash to have your documents with you or for some other problem.

A Rape Accusation

This scam is quite rare. The scam only applies to men, simply a man will meet a local girl and become friends over a few days. The man will be given a chance to stay with the woman in a hotel.

After that, some guys will meet the man as the woman’s brother. Eventually, these guys will accuse the man of raping the woman. The man will be surprised because the woman is crying.

At last, the scammer will ask the man for money for damages and then will be asked to leave the country as soon as possible.

Corrupt Traffic Police

This is not only in Cambodia but all of Southeast Asia when you visit Cambodia and want to rent a motorbike, you have to be careful because you will learn just how corrupt the traffic police officers are.

When you pass these police officers, they will stop you and you will be accused of breaking the law. and you will have to pay a fine for some made-up reason.

Non-Metered Taxi

This is more of a worldwide problem when we speak about taxi’s not using their meters. Normally, the taxi meter still works but the driver tells you that it is broken. The driver will also tell you that non metered taxi is cheaper.

But, it is actually a lie because the driver is interested in ripping you off. As a result, you will end up paying more for the taxi fare than you should.

Non-Direct Routes

Continuing on with taxis. When you are using a taxi during your visit to Cambodia, they may take a non-direct route so the journey will become longer. Resulting in the taxi fare becoming more expensive than you expect.

The fact is, the driver actually knows the shortcut or the faster route. If possible use Google Maps on your phone before you go by taxi and act as if you have been in Cambodia for years.

Tuk Tuk Scam

You can get a Tuk Tuk to visit some of the attractions in Cambodia. But, you will find that your driver will disappear when you are finished at the attractions. Suddenly, another tuk-tuk driver comes who is actually working with the first driver offers you a ride to take you to your hotel. And you pay the second driver.

When you have returned to your hotel, the first tuk-tuk driver will come to your hotel and claim that you have tricked him and owe him money. In the end, you will end up having to pay the first driver also. Effectively been double charged.

Motorcycle Theft

If you are interested in riding a motorcycle in Cambodia, you can actually rent a motorbike but you have to be careful as there are so many motorcycle thefts. This again usually occurs in many tourist spots that offer motorbike rental.

You will need to leave your passport or ID card to rent the motorcycle but the owner has the key copy of the motorbike and somebody will follow you while you ride around on the motorbike.

When you park the motorbike, the guy following you who actually works with the motorbike owner will steal the motorbike. To get your passport or ID back, you will have to pay and it will be very expensive.

The Pickpocket

Pickpocketing actually does not only occur in Cambodia but can happen anywhere in the world. You do need to be careful and always keep your items safe when visiting Cambodia. Pickpockets operate in crowded areas such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

As usual, they work in groups and they will spread out within the crowd. They will suddenly steal your valuable items such as smartphones, necklaces, and wallets.

Food Beggars With Child

This scam usually occurs in most Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. How does this scam work? A lady with a kid or a baby will come to you while you are eating in a restaurant.

She will ask for your money or food because they have not eaten for a few days. Since she has a baby, you will feel sad and you will give her some money or food. Don’t give them any money.

Incense / Prayer scam

Incense or prayer scam usually happens in Angkor Wat. There are some people who act like monks who will offer you some incense sticks.

If you accept the sticks, you will be charged as much as $5 for each stick. So, you should these sticks as you are been scammed.

Angkor Wat Touts

These touts can be found easily in the Angkor area. These touts are selling some items such as souvenirs, water, maps, guidebooks, and much more. These items are very expensive you can get them cheaper when you get inside the temple.

Some of the touts also sell food and drinks at really high prices and tell you that you cannot buy food and drinks inside the temple.

USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES

Book Accommodation

Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.

Booking Flight

Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.

Booking Transportation & Things To Do

Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.

Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.

Wrapping Up

Finally, there are scams in every country and Cambodia is no exception. These can occur anywhere in Cambodia from the temples, the local markets, and transport. These are only a few scams in Cambodia that you may encounter when you Cambodia.

These scams can happen to any type of tourist. So, you need to be careful and call the police if you encounter these scammers.

And that’s it for now! I’d love it if this post on scams in Cambodia – what to watch out for in Cambodia was helpful to you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there are any other scams in Cambodia.