Southeast Asia·Cambodia·Updated May 3, 2026

Siem Reap Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Cambodia)

The gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap sees tuk-tuk driver commission scams, fake donation requests for orphanages, and rigged casino schemes targeting tourists.

Risk Index

6.2

out of 10

Scams

14

documented

High Severity

0

0% of total

6.2

Risk Index

14

Scams

0

High Risk

Siem Reap has 14 documented tourist scams across 8 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated high. The most commonly reported risks are Tuk-Tuk Driver Closed Temple Scam, Tuk-Tuk Driver Overcharging and Commission Loop, Angkor Wat Fake Ticket.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travelers Need to Know About Scams in Siem Reap

Siem Reap is Cambodia's primary tourist city, serving as the base for visitors to the Angkor Wat temple complex — one of Southeast Asia's most visited sites. The combination of high tourist volume and a largely informal tourism economy creates one of the region's most concentrated scam environments outside Bangkok.

Tuk-tuk drivers at Angkor frequently redirect tourists to affiliated restaurants and souvenir shops that pay driver commissions. Orphanage tourism scams — establishments presenting themselves as charitable orphanages to solicit tourist donations — are specifically and heavily documented in the Siem Reap area; most are not genuine orphanages. Official Angkor tickets are only available at the Angkor Enterprise ticket office; touts near the entrance have documented counterfeit pass operations.

How It Plays OutMedium Risk

Tuk-Tuk Driver Closed Temple Scam

Tuk-tuk drivers at Angkor Wat and other temples claim the main entrance is closed or that tourists need a special guide to access a particular area. They redirect tourists to shops, restaurants, or "floating villages" where they earn commission. Angkor temples close only on rare official occasions.

At the main Angkor Wat causeway entrance on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, and at the gates of Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm inside the Angkor Thom complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

How to avoid: Verify temple opening hours directly with your hotel or the official Angkor Enterprise website. Walk to the main entrance yourself to confirm access. Dismiss all claims from tuk-tuk drivers about closures without independent verification.

This scam type is also documented in Kuala Lumpur and Palawan.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Siem Reap.

Tuk-Tuk Driver Closed Temple Scam

Taxi & Transport

At the main Angkor Wat causeway entrance on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, and at the gates of Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm inside the Angkor Thom complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Tuk-Tuk Driver Overcharging and Commission Loop

Taxi & Transport

Tuk-tuk ranks near the Old Market (Phsar Chas) on Pokambor Avenue in central Siem Reap, and the departure area outside Angkor Wat's main gate on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat Fake Ticket

Tour & Activities

Touts operating along Sivutha Boulevard near guesthouses, and near the official Angkor Enterprise ticket center on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, 4 km north of Siem Reap town center, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Currency Exchange Shortchanging at Pub Street Kiosks

Money & ATM Scams

Pub Street (Street 08) and its surrounding alleys, Psah Chas (Old Market) perimeter, and the stretch of Sivatha Boulevard between the roundabout and the market.

Airport Overpriced Taxi from Siem Reap International

Taxi & Transport

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) arrivals exit and the immediate taxi staging area outside the terminal building, approximately 40 km north of the city center.

Pub Street Bar Overcharge

Restaurant Scams

Pub Street (Street 08) and the surrounding lanes in the tourist entertainment district of Siem Reap, including the Night Market area on Sivutha Boulevard and restaurant clusters on Street 09, Siem Reap, Cambodia

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Siem Reap

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Verify temple opening hours directly with your hotel or the official Angkor Enterprise website. Walk to the main entrance yourself to confirm access. Dismiss all claims from tuk-tuk drivers about closures without independent verification.
  • Agree on the daily rate and explicit route before departure. Politely but firmly decline all shop stops. Book tuk-tuks through your guesthouse or a reputable app like PassApp.
  • Buy Angkor passes only from the official Angkor Enterprise ticket center on the road to Angkor (about 4km from town). Never buy from anyone on the street or who approaches your guesthouse.
  • Avoid street-side money changers entirely. Use an ATM affiliated with a major bank such as ABA or ACLEDA for reliable exchange rates. If you must exchange cash, count every note yourself before leaving the counter and verify the rate on a trusted app like XE beforehand.
  • Book a hotel transfer or Grab ride in advance before landing. Check Grab availability immediately upon exiting the terminal — it operates from the airport pickup zone. If taking a metered taxi, confirm the fare ceiling set by the airport authority at the information desk before proceeding to the queue.

FAQ

Siem Reap Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Siem Reap?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Siem Reap are Tuk-Tuk Driver Closed Temple Scam, Tuk-Tuk Driver Overcharging and Commission Loop, Angkor Wat Fake Ticket. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in Kuala Lumpur and Palawan.
Are taxis safe in Siem Reap?
Taxis in Siem Reap carry documented risk for tourists — 4 transport-related scams are on record. Verify temple opening hours directly with your hotel or the official Angkor Enterprise website. Walk to the main entrance yourself to confirm access. Dismiss all claims from tuk-tuk drivers about closures without independent verification. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Siem Reap safe at night for tourists?
The gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap sees tuk-tuk driver commission scams, fake donation requests for orphanages, and rigged casino schemes targeting tourists. After dark, extra caution is advised near At the main Angkor Wat causeway entrance on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, and at the gates of Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm inside the Angkor Thom complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Siem Reap should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Siem Reap is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: At the main Angkor Wat causeway entrance on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, and at the gates of Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm inside the Angkor Thom complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia (Tuk-Tuk Driver Closed Temple Scam); Tuk-tuk ranks near the Old Market (Phsar Chas) on Pokambor Avenue in central Siem Reap, and the departure area outside Angkor Wat's main gate on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, Siem Reap, Cambodia (Tuk-Tuk Driver Overcharging and Commission Loop); Touts operating along Sivutha Boulevard near guesthouses, and near the official Angkor Enterprise ticket center on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, 4 km north of Siem Reap town center, Siem Reap, Cambodia (Angkor Wat Fake Ticket). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Siem Reap?
The best protection against scams in Siem Reap is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Verify temple opening hours directly with your hotel or the official Angkor Enterprise website. Walk to the main entrance yourself to confirm access. Dismiss all claims from tuk-tuk drivers about closures without independent verification. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Siem Reap · Cambodia · Southeast Asia

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Editorial note: Scam warnings for Siem Reap are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →