I'm going to start a business where I offer people stuff for free, and if they take it, I tell them they owe me money and call the police if they don't pay.

What I love about these boards is that you post something I thought was pretty straightforward and clear and then all the pundits come out of the wookwork and spin it this way and that way.
He came in with a sob story. I felt sorry for him and let him stay for free for some time. When I realized he did have money and had more coming I told I would have to charge him. He agreed. I wanted to get this resolved in a quiet manner. Instead of our regular rate of $60 I only charged him $25. We also billed him for food and drinks. So far no problem. At that time I knew he had been lying from the get-go. When he then still wouldn't pay I told him he in effect had cheated me, deceived me from the start by claiming he was destitute. When that had no effect I filed charges, gave him another deadline upon which he skipped town, saying he is leaving the country. He is in Siem Reap now. Still being poor, I guess? How does he support himself, he found a sponsor? He is a grifter, a convicted criminal, and sought by the police in his home country. What do you make of that? That he is a poor, pathetic old man? He now makes a living this way because with his past and his set of skills he can't find anything else. He can't go back to his country, he can't go to Thailand, so the obvious choice is Cambodia. People who say forget about it just don't know what running a business means, especially a hotel. You get all kinds of people, some of them scum you recognize immediately, some are a little more refined in their way, and then the ones who think everything is overpriced in Cambodia. Incidentally, we are a pretty popular 3-star hotel. This is all I have to say about this. It is taking up too much of my time already.

rubberbaron wrote:People who say forget about it just don't know what running a business means, especially a hotel. [...] This is all I have to say about this. It is taking up too much of my time already.

Without taking sides. If it is so difficult, have you ever considered getting out of the business for something that you might enjoy more?

If your situation changes because of the industry that you're in well maybe you're in the wrong industry.

I wonder did the OP have more than just being friendly and helpful in mind in offering a place to stay and actually harbored a sexual longing for him , and after a drunken refusal, changed his tune.....

Jeez, the OP just posted about a guy who ripped him off - a warning to others about this guy - and a reminder that no good deed goes unpunished. (Trusting people etc.)

And then wow,it's shoot the messenger time - and a general stoning from CEO.
Thought we were leaving all that to the other forum? (Or is it some insidious influence from SA ?)

rubberbaron wrote: I wanted to get this resolved in a quiet manner.

well that dreams over. how do we know that this is the Tamarind?

My thoughts exactly, as a final, final post. The guy is now paying up. He made a written commitment.

convicted fraudster makes written commitment. let us know how it goes.