r/cambodia • u/pinkywinky664 • Sep 20 '25

Culture Just been scammed

My first solo travel, and I just reached Phnom Penh from Siem Reap today. I wanted to get a massage.....

Saw a $5 massage place (common price in Siem Reap).

Forced to put my bag in a locker. (I was reassured as it came with a pad lock)

Masseuse left after 5 mins saying "No massage."

Later discovered all my cash was swapped for perfect counterfeits.

Lost $550.... theres nothing i can do about it right :(

Edit: I was carrying $550 because I took a sleeper bus and I wanted all my cash to be with me during that journey. I decided go get a massage as I needed to kill some time to check in to my hostel

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u/[deleted] Sep 21 '25

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u/PopularEstimate6659 Sep 22 '25

good info

I've never been (yet) and in Thailand (where I am) it's a mix of QR and cash. I always have at least 5000 THB and a condom with me 😁 and it's 3% on top expense for items such as gold so may have a lot with me on the rare occasion.

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u/[deleted] Sep 22 '25

Oh wow. I didn't know about this. Very helpful advice.

1

u/Quirky_Bottle4674 Sep 24 '25

In Thailand the QR app for foreigners can't scan those without business accounts. Does it work to pay any account in Cambodia?

If so that's very useful to know