Money and valuables
Check notes, change and payment screens
The FCDO notes reports of counterfeit US dollar notes being given as change and advises checking that notes are genuine and not damaged or torn. Cambodian riel is increasingly used, and paying in local currency can avoid arguments about the condition of dollar notes.
Use ATMs attached to reputable banks where possible, shield your PIN and check the currency before accepting a card terminal's conversion. Keep your phone and bag away from the traffic side of a tuk-tuk or pavement: opportunistic snatching is a more realistic visitor risk than an elaborate face-to-face confidence trick.
- Count change before leaving.
- Do not accept torn or suspicious dollar notes.
- Use bank ATMs in well-lit locations.
- Keep cards and emergency cash separately.
Borders, prices and rentals
Confirm official charges and important agreements
At land borders, use official immigration channels and check current visa fees before travelling. An unexpected charge is easier to challenge when you know the published process. Tourist pricing is not always a scam: sometimes it is a misunderstanding, an unposted price or a service being quoted differently. Ask the price before agreeing.
For a rental, land transaction or business investment, verbal reassurance is not enough. Confirm ownership, identity, terms, deposits and exit arrangements independently. Foreign property ownership in Cambodia has legal restrictions; take qualified Cambodian legal advice before committing money.
Organised crime
Scam compounds are not ordinary Cambodian life
UNODC has documented organised online-fraud operations and trafficking for forced criminality across Southeast Asia, including Cambodia. These are serious criminal enterprises, often targeting victims online or recruiting people with deceptive job offers.
They must not be confused with the overwhelming majority of normal interactions visitors have with Cambodian people: buying food, taking a tuk-tuk, asking directions or speaking with neighbours. Treat extraordinary promises, online investments and vague overseas job offers with caution; do not treat ordinary Cambodian hospitality as a threat.
- Do not send money to an investment or romance contact you cannot verify.
- Be wary of jobs with vague duties, unusual travel arrangements or retained passports.
- Report suspected trafficking or immediate danger to the appropriate authorities.