explorer wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 11:54 am People who understand what happens can prevent it.

Those who dont understand, get cheated.

explorer wrote: ↑
Fri May 03, 2019 11:31 am
In Cambodia, some guest houses and hotels have arrangements with tuk tuk and minivan drivers, so when they bring customers they get paid a commission. This does not normally affect travellers. However, there may be a situation where you go to a place you have never been before, a tuk tuk driver takes you to a guest house which is not very good. You want to go and see some of the others, but they refuse to take you, because they brought you to a place where they get a commission. Even ordinary Cambodian people sometimes get paid a commission for taking you to some guest houses or hotels. You ask them where to find a good guest house, and they insist on going with you.

In some situations, the restaurants where buses stop when travelling to other towns, pay the bus company for the buses to stop there. In other situations, they give the driver a good meal free.

Where is the cheating ? What is the problem if the bus driver eats for free ? The bus driver must eat every few hours or he will faint, and you get to use the toilets (for free.)
Or so what if someone gets a buck for bringing guests to a guesthouse ? You won't pay more. The tuktuk or minivan driver will only take you to his chosen hotel if you don't know where to go, so if you don't want your hotel chosen by a random driver, have a plan. A lot of minivans will drop you off directly at your guesthouse or hotel if you ask the driver.
Sorry, but I don't get the panic. No, they are not all out to cheat you.

This thread seems a bit mixed up and I reckon it's coz of the terminology used and the heading is to an extent incongruous with the content of OP's post.

Re Commission

As others have said nothing wrong with that as in 'fee for service' and it happens the world over... Why wouldn't a restaurant give the bus driver something for bringing a bunch of people to their business? Might not necessarily apply in the west as much but certainly normal in asia.

However, when OP gives an example of a huge commission paid to a real estate agent where a foreigner is involved in a land or building transaction, then we are talking about a totally separate issue ie 'excessive fee for service' or more, a swindle..hence a 'scam'.

Re Secret

It's not really 'secret' as such, I think it's more the case of a person being unaware of how the system works and who is involved in the process..specifically, with a foreigner where they may not have experience and understanding in a foreign land and also due to language difficulty, needs additional help or 'fixers' to get things done. And sure, because of this maybe (but not always) a target for a scam.

RickyBobby wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 12:31 pm If we build, her father will be the Khmer PM and he wouldn't be on the take either, because he would be cheating his own daughter.

I dont know you or your wife. Some people find good wives, and I hope you are one of them.

Fathers wouldnt normally cheat their own daughter. But it is not uncommon for father and daughter, and mother, and brothers and sisters, to cheat the daughters husband.

RickyBobby wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 12:31 pm We just bought land. It goes in her name of course.

Unless it is a gift to her and you never expect to get anything in return, there is a fundamental flaw in putting investments in her name.

Even if you have a genuine good relationship now, you may have a falling out in the future.

She gets everything, you get nothing.

That’s not entirely true and if you go through life thinking that then your relationships will be doomed from the start.

I know of many western/Khmer couples who’ve amicably split property/land/money after separation.

I’m guessing you’re one of those guys who’d insist on a prenup or lease on land. Just in case.


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explorer wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2019 9:37 am

Even if you have a genuine good relationship now, you may have a falling out in the future.

She gets everything, you get nothing.

Sounds like a divorce in Australia..............................

I always imagine us sitting on the floor in a semi circle around Explorer’s chair, while he imparts his wisdom on us lucky recipients.

whatwat wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2019 10:43 am That’s not entirely true and if you go through life thinking that then your relationships will be doomed from the start.

I know of many western/Khmer couples who’ve amicably split property/land/money after separation.

I’m guessing you’re one of those guys who’d insist on a prenup or lease on land. Just in case.

There are some people with a genuine Cambodian wife.

There are many where the wife/girlfriend puts on a fake act to get money from a foreigner. The foreigner thinks it is genuine love.

One of the keys for anyone entering a relationship with a Cambodian girl, is to find a good one. There are good ones.

My (small) investments are in Australia. I dont plan to buy real estate in Cambodia.

I also assist students from poor families get a university education. It is a gift to them, which enables them to escape the poverty trap.

The best way to help people is to help them help themselves.

rozzieoz wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2019 11:27 am I always imagine us sitting on the floor in a semi circle around Explorer’s chair, while he imparts his wisdom on us lucky recipients.

Dont you think it is a good idea to warn newcomers about potential risks?