Cambodia
Common tourist scams in Cambodia and how to avoid them
The most common Cambodia scams are tuk-tuk and moto drivers quoting a low fare then demanding more, inflated prices at border crossings and around Angkor, fake tour or bus tickets, and card or ATM skimming in cities. Pay in riel or small US dollar notes, agree the fare before you get in, and buy Angkor passes only at the official ticket office.
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GuideCambodia
Key facts
- Most common
- Tuk-tuk fare disputes, inflated border and temple-area prices, fake tickets, card skimming
- Currency
- US dollar for most prices; riel (KHR, about 4,000–4,100 per US$) for change
- Fare rule
- Agree the price before you get in; short city rides are a few dollars
- Angkor pass
- Buy only at the official ticket office in Siem Reap; touts sell invalid passes
- Emergency numbers
- 117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance
- Best defence
- Small notes, a written price, and a booked ride through your hotel or a known app
Details
Cambodia is a low-friction country for most travellers, and the scams you meet are mostly about money, not danger. They cluster in three places: transport, the Angkor area, and border crossings. Knowing the shape of each one removes most of the risk.
Transport is the number-one issue. A tuk-tuk or moto driver agrees a low price, then at the destination claims you misunderstood and asks for several times more, sometimes with a friend nearby. The fix is simple: agree the exact price in riel or dollars before you get in, and if the driver will not commit, walk to the next one. Rides booked through your hotel or a ride-hailing app have a set price and no argument.
Around Angkor, touts sell "temple passes" that are not valid, and drivers offer a cheap day tour that ends at a commission shop or a restaurant with inflated prices. Buy the Angkor pass only at the official ticket office, and if a driver insists on a stop you did not ask for, say no and continue.
At land borders, especially the popular crossings from Thailand, unofficial "helpers" offer to handle your visa for a fee, or quote a price for a stamp that should be free. Use the official counter, keep your own pen, and check your government's advice before you travel overland. Card and ATM skimming happens in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville; use bank ATMs inside a branch or a mall, cover the keypad, and check your statement.
| Scam | Where it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fare quoted low, then raised | Tuk-tuk and moto stands, city centres | Agree the exact price before you get in; use an app or hotel booking |
| Invalid Angkor pass | Siem Reap, around the ticket area | Buy only at the official ticket office |
| Commission stops on tours | Angkor day tours, countryside trips | Refuse unrequested stops; book through a known operator |
| Visa "helper" fees | Land borders from Thailand | Use the official counter; check your government's advice first |
| ATM or card skimming | Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville | Use bank ATMs, cover the keypad, check your statement |
Fare and fee amounts vary; treat any figure as a 2026 estimate and confirm locally.
Tips
Carry small US dollar notes and riel for change. A driver who cannot make change on a large note has an easy excuse to round up, so keep ones and fives ready.
Write the agreed price down or show it on your phone before the ride starts. A number on a screen is harder to argue with than a spoken one.
Book airport and long-distance transfers through your hotel or a known operator. The small extra cost buys a fixed price and a driver who is accountable.
If something goes wrong, stay calm, do not hand over more money than agreed, and move to a public place. Report serious cases to the tourist police or your embassy; keep receipts and screenshots.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and prices change, so check your own government's travel advice before you go.
- Keep small notes for exact change
- Confirm the price on a screen before you get in
- Buy Angkor passes only at the official office
- Use bank ATMs inside branches
- Save 117, 118 and 119 in your phone
Questions people ask
What are the most common tourist scams in Cambodia?
Tuk-tuk and moto drivers quoting a low fare then demanding more, inflated prices at borders and around Angkor, fake tour or bus tickets, and card or ATM skimming in cities. Agree prices before you ride and buy Angkor passes only at the official office.
Is Cambodia safe from pickpockets?
Petty theft is possible in busy markets, nightlife areas and on crowded streets in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Keep your bag zipped and in front, avoid displaying expensive phones, and use a hotel safe for your passport and spare cash.
What should I do if I am scammed in Cambodia?
Stay calm, do not pay more than agreed, and move to a public place. Keep receipts and screenshots, report serious cases to the tourist police or your embassy, and contact your bank immediately if a card is involved.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialUS State Department – Cambodia travel advisory
- officialUK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – Cambodia travel advice
- officialGovernment of Canada – Cambodia travel advice
- officialSmartraveller (Australia) – Cambodia
- officialSafeTravel (New Zealand) – Cambodia
- officialDepartment of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) – Cambodia