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.
Taxi & Transport scams are the most documented risk in Siem Reap — 4 of 11 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 4 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
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.
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Siem Reap · Cambodia · Southeast Asia
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Siem Reap
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Tuk-Tuk Driver Closed Temple Scam
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
Angkor Wat Fake Ticket
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 Pass Tout
Near the official Angkor Enterprise ticket center on the road to Angkor (4 km north of Siem Reap on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard), and touts operating along Sivutha Boulevard and near guesthouses in the Siem Reap tourist area, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Fake Orphanage Donation
Tuk-tuk routes from Pub Street in Siem Reap to villages on the outskirts, and informal "orphanages" located in Siem Reap province villages — often accessed via the roads heading south toward the Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Fake Orphanage Donation Tour
Tuk-tuk routes from Pub Street and the Old Market area to villages on the outskirts of Siem Reap, and guesthouse notice boards in the tourist area promoting orphanage visits as a cultural activity, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tuk-Tuk Driver Overcharging and Commission Loop
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
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
Transport is the primary risk in Siem Reap
4 of 11 documented scams involve taxis or transport. Always use app-based rides (Uber, Grab, or local equivalent) and confirm fares before getting in.
How it works
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.
How it works
Touts near Siem Reap sell counterfeit Angkor Wat passes at a slight discount. These are detected at the temple gates and confiscated with no refund. Tourists must purchase legitimate tickets at a loss.
How it works
Touts near the Angkor Wat complex offer discounted Angkor passes, claiming they have leftover multi-day tickets or staff passes. These are either counterfeit, already partially used, or stolen. Tourists using fake passes are refused entry and lose the money paid.
How it works
Tuk-tuk drivers recommend visiting "orphanages" near Siem Reap where children perform for tourists and solicit donations. Most are not genuine orphanages and the children are often rented from nearby villages. Money goes to operators, not children.
How it works
Tuk-tuk drivers and guesthouses promote tours to local "orphanages" where tourists are encouraged to donate money, supplies, or sponsor a child. Many of these facilities are not genuine orphanages — children may be rented from families, and cash donations rarely reach the children.
How it works
Tuk-tuk drivers in Siem Reap often quote low daily rates ($10–15 for Angkor) then take tourists to souvenir shops and restaurants where they earn commission, adding significant time and pressure to the day.
How it works
Bars on Pub Street and the surrounding lanes present menus without prices or use a menu with small print. Extra drinks and "welcome shots" are added to the tab without consent. Bills are presented quickly and under pressure in busy environments.
How it works
Tours to Tonle Sap floating villages are sold at vastly different prices, and many include mandatory boat extensions, expensive drinks on the water, and "donations" to floating schools that are not genuine educational institutions. The original agreed price rarely covers the full experience.
How it works
Money changers clustered around Pub Street and the Old Market area in Siem Reap are known to shortchange tourists during currency exchanges, using sleight of hand when counting bills or quoting a favorable rate then applying a different one at the point of exchange. Some operators use a counting technique where they flash the correct amount before palming one or two notes. The USD is widely accepted in Siem Reap, making currency exchange largely unnecessary for most visitors.
How it works
Drivers stationed outside the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport quote flat rates to hotels that are three to five times what a pre-booked tuk-tuk or ride-app transfer costs. Some claim that apps like Grab do not operate from the airport or that your hotel is far outside the normal zone, neither of which is typically true. The airport's physical distance from the city center (about 40 km) makes passengers more vulnerable to accepting inflated quotes.
How it works
Motorcycle taxi (motodop) drivers agree on a fare before the journey but demand significantly more upon arrival, claiming the price was per person, for luggage, or that the route was longer than expected. Disputes can be intimidating in unfamiliar areas.
Siem Reap Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Siem Reap?
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If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Southeast Asia region. Before visiting Mandalay, Bali, and Manila, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
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 →