Rental Listing Scams in Cambodia
Fake apartment and villa rental listings targeting expatriates in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, collecting deposits for non-existent properties.
Part of: Rental Listing Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Rental scams targeting expatriates in Cambodia are prevalent on Facebook groups and property listing sites. Fraudulent listings for apartments in Phnom Penh BKK1, Siem Reap villa rentals, and serviced apartments near major business districts collect deposits from incoming expats who are often abroad when they search and cannot easily verify in person.
The problem is compounded by Cambodia's large informal rental market, where genuine landlords also conduct business via WhatsApp and direct bank transfer, making it harder to distinguish legitimate practice from fraud.
How this scam works on Cambodia
An incoming expat searches a Facebook group for Phnom Penh accommodation and finds a listing with excellent photos, a competitive price, and a friendly responsive landlord. A deposit is requested by bank transfer to secure the property before viewing — justified by high demand. The property either does not exist or has already been rented.
In a variant, the apartment is real but the person renting it out does not own or legitimately manage it, having obtained photos and details from a legitimate listing to run a parallel fraud.
Short-term rental scams near Angkor Wat target tourists booking villas via Facebook rather than established platforms, collecting full payment before arrival.
Common red flags
- Landlord requests deposit payment before in-person viewing
- Property priced notably below comparable listings in the same area
- Photos reverse-image-search to other listings or stock libraries
- Landlord claims to be abroad and delegates key handover to a third party
- Communication is only via WhatsApp with no verifiable business identity
- Urgency to pay immediately as multiple interested parties are claimed
How to protect yourself
- Never pay a rental deposit before viewing the property in person
- Verify the landlord's ownership through Cambodia's Land Management system or a local lawyer
- Use a reputable Cambodia real-estate agency for long-term rentals
- For short-term stays, book through established platforms with cancellation and fraud protection
- Conduct any in-person viewing with a trusted local contact who can confirm the property is as described
- Pay deposits only in person after viewing, with a signed receipt
How to report it
- Report to the Cambodia Cyber Crime Department (CCD) at interior.gov.kh
- File with local police in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap with all documentation
- Alert the Facebook group administrator to remove the fraudulent listing
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for Cambodian landlords to request a deposit before viewing?
Some legitimate landlords in Cambodia do ask for a small holding deposit in high-demand periods, but any significant payment before viewing is a red flag. Insist on viewing first. If a landlord refuses any in-person viewing arrangement, treat this as a strong indicator of fraud.