Scam in CambodiaOn the street
Friendly invitation leads to a rigged card game in Cambodia
How it works
A group befriends you and claims a relative will soon move to your home country. They invite you to dinner at a house, then try to draw you into a rigged card game for money.
Warning signs
- Strangers quickly claim a personal link to your country.
- They invite you to a private home soon after meeting.
- The visit turns into pressure to gamble.
How to avoid it
- Decline private invitations from people you have just met.
- Keep new social meetings in public places.
- Do not play cards for money with strangers.
If it happens to you
Stop playing and leave if you can do so safely. Do not pay more money to try to recover losses.
- Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or resist a robbery.
- Stop further payments. Do not pay more to recover money already lost.
- Protect your accounts. Freeze missing cards, contact the issuer and lock a stolen phone remotely if possible.
- Save evidence. Keep receipts, booking messages, payment records and a short account of what happened.
- Report the incident to police and the relevant business or booking provider. Ask for a report or reference number.
- Contact your insurer. If your passport is missing, contact your embassy or consulate.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/cambodia2025What kind of scams have you personally experienced or seen recently?A contributor describes strangers claiming a niece is studying in the visitor's country before inviting them home for a fraudulent blackjack game.Read on Reddit
- WebAngkorHUBPractical InfoThe local information page describes a friendly dinner invitation involving a supposedly emigrating sister that can lead to forced gambling.Read on Web
- Government adviceCambodia travel adviceCanadian travel advice warns that tourist card-game scams can culminate in criminals forcing victims to withdraw money from ATMs.Read on Government advice
Questions
What is the friendly invitation leads to a rigged card game scam in Cambodia?
A group befriends you and claims a relative will soon move to your home country. They invite you to dinner at a house, then try to draw you into a rigged card game for money.
How can I spot it early?
Strangers quickly claim a personal link to your country. They invite you to a private home soon after meeting. The visit turns into pressure to gamble.
How do I avoid friendly invitation leads to a rigged card game in Cambodia?
Decline private invitations from people you have just met. Keep new social meetings in public places. Do not play cards for money with strangers.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Stop playing and leave if you can do so safely. Do not pay more money to try to recover losses.
Where in Cambodia does this happen?
Tourist areas including the riverfront, Hun Sen Park and Sorya Mall It has been reported in Phnom Penh.
How common is this scam in Cambodia?
Occasional. Scams are plentiful in Cambodia. Common problems include tourist price markups, unclear taxi fares, border bribe demands and tours that do not match their promises. Petty theft also happens, including phone and bag snatching in Phnom Penh, although violent crime is described as fairly low overall.
Are there similar scams in Cambodia?
Yes: persistent ride and souvenir selling, new friends ask for money for sick relatives, fake monks asking tourists for money.
Who can I report it to?
Tourist police in Phnom Penh: call 012 942 4840 if fake monks harass you. Local police: report theft, robbery or suspected fraud. Bring any evidence and ask for a written report or reference number. Card issuer: use the issuer's official app or contact number to freeze a missing card and report disputed transactions. Bank branch: if a bank-attached ATM gives you damaged notes, ask that branch to replace them immediately. Bus company, tour seller or booking provider: report missing luggage items or services that did not match the booking. Provide tickets, receipts and written promises. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its official claims channel. Keep police reports, receipts and evidence of loss. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is lost or stolen, or if you need help after a serious incident.
What number do I call in an emergency in Cambodia?
Phnom Penh tourist police, listed for harassment by fake monks: 012 942 4840.
Reviewed by @snuck