Dealing with Online Scams in Cambodia

Online scams are unfortunately widespread in Cambodia. For many Westerners who move here, this can feel overwhelming at first — we’re simply not used to encountering this level of fraud in daily life.

Severe poverty and a generally low standard of consumer honesty make navigating life here challenging at times. The “dual pricing” system — one price for locals and another for foreigners — is just a small symptom of a broader issue, but it sets the tone for what to expect.

In most Western countries, online transactions are relatively safe. People’s moral standards tend to be higher, and when scams do occur, they’re usually large-scale — not the kind where you lose $4 over a small purchase. Unfortunately, petty scams are common in Cambodia and can happen to anyone.

So, what should you do if it happens to you?

1. Report it to your bank.

   Contact the bank you used for the transaction and file an official complaint. In many cases, the bank may be able to reverse the transaction or issue a refund.

2. File a complaint with the local authorities.

   You can report the incident to the local police hotline. While results are rarely immediate — and follow-ups are uncommon — it’s still worth filing a report. The more people speak up, the harder it becomes for these scams to continue unchecked.

3. Buy from sellers that accept COD

   Avoid pre payment when possible. Many sellers have arrangements with Virek Buntham or Capital for COD deliveries; you just need to ask.