Common street crime includes phone and bag snatching by motorcycle riders. A thief may cut a bag strap, causing the victim to fall or suffer an injury. Pedestrians, passengers in open tuk-tuks or motorcycle taxis, and people sleeping on buses face increased exposure. Phnom Penh's Riverfront and BKK areas, beaches and tourist areas in Sihanoukville, and some islands are recurring locations of concern. Sexual assault and drink-spiking have been reported in tourist and party settings, including Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. These incidents can lead to robbery, assault or serious injury. Scams include counterfeit US-dollar notes, ATM and card fraud, social-media fraud, fake job offers and investment schemes. Job advertisements promising unusually high pay can lead to scam compounds, particularly around Sihanoukville, border areas and Kandal. Some trafficking situations involve passport confiscation, restricted movement and forced work. Firearms and shootings occur in private, commercial and other disputes, while organized crime has been documented around casino environments. United Nations research in 2024 recorded raids on cybercrime sites in Sihanoukville involving several locations and hundreds of detained people; detention does not by itself establish whether a person was an offender or a victim. Online crime includes financial scams, account abuse and online child sexual exploitation and abuse. A 2022 study estimated that 11% of internet-using children aged 12 to 17 in Cambodia had experienced such abuse, equivalent to about 160,000 children, and that 9% had been pressured to send sexual images. Children should protect account privacy, stop responding to grooming or extortion, block and report the account, and preserve evidence without sharing illegal material. The Ministry of Interior oversees the General Commissariat of National Police, with capital, provincial, municipality, district, Khan and commune police providing local services. Tourist Police operate in locations including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Poipet, Preah Vihear and Kampong Thom. Report a crime to Tourist Police or the nearest police station. A 2025 General Commissariat directive provides for personal complaints to Tourist Police, capital or provincial police, and municipality, district or Khan police. A complaint may be submitted in any language with Khmer, English or French translation, and the complainant should receive an official receipt. Ask for a case record and keep a copy for insurance or later follow-up. Do not sign or fingerprint an unread document. Provide truthful information and available evidence; personal attendance may still be required, and local English-language or 24-hour coverage is not guaranteed. For an immediate police emergency call 117. Fire services use 118 and ambulances 119. Human-trafficking or child-protection emergencies can be reported to 1288. Other relevant contacts include Public Security 1283, the General Commissariat of National Police at 1245, and the police foreigner service at +855 31 201 2345 or +855 31 601 2345. Tourist Police can be reached at +855 77 788 603. The Police Scam Portal accepts scam reports online, but the police may still require personal attendance; identity details, a selfie and supporting evidence may be requested. False information can result in a fine or imprisonment. Technology-scam hotlines 1246 and 1247 also provide reporting channels. Victims of gender-based violence may receive medical, legal, psychological, safety and referral services through provincial hospitals and services linked to the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Ministry of Health. Availability and implementation differ by province. The Cambodian Women's Crisis Center provides specialized support in places including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Poipet and Kampong Thom. Children can contact Child Helpline Cambodia at 1280, the National Police Child Helpline at 1288, or APLE at 092 311 511; APLE calls may be charged. Commune Committees for Women and Children, commune police, village or commune chiefs, provincial child-protection police and social workers can assist with referrals. Family-based solutions are generally prioritized for children, while residential care is treated as a last resort. Distance, cost, social pressure, fear and limited local capacity can delay reporting. Reduce exposure by keeping valuables and passports in a secure place, carrying bags away from the road, avoiding open front baskets, using reputable protected transport, and choosing lit main routes at night. Never leave drinks unattended. Verify unfamiliar transport, hotel, job, visa and investment offers, and do not pay large advances or surrender a passport for a promised job. Use authorized ATMs, keep the card in sight, and preserve chats, wallet addresses, transaction records and screenshots after a scam. Do not resist a snatching attempt; seek medical help and report the incident when safe.
Crime in Cambodia
Crime in Cambodia includes theft, violent offences, sexual violence, scams, human trafficking and cybercrime. Phone and bag snatching, often by motorcycle riders, is a recurring risk in busy streets, tourist areas and open vehicles. Official nationwide crime data remain fragmented, and underreporting is especially likely for gender-based violence and online abuse of children. Practical safety depends on the setting, with tourist and nightlife areas, digital platforms, border and casino environments, and isolated regions requiring particular care.
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