Bag-snatching from a motorbike is a common crime in Phnom Penh, and unfortunately, with the approach to Khmer New Year, this crime is on the increase, so keep your wits about you.

When using your phone in the street, on a moto, or in a tuktuk, look around you first, and keep looking. Don't carry bags over your shoulder when walking in the middle of the street (as you do because the pavements are clogged with parked cars and motorbikes.)
This is not new, but needs repeating for newcomers to Phnom Penh, particularly in the tourist areas.

Yeah unfortunately this just happened to my girlfriend tonight on the corner of Preah Monivong Blvd and St 432 while trying to order a Passapp tuktuk. Can't complain too much, the same thing happened to me last year in the UK on the way to work in the morning

2 hours ago - BREAKING NEWS
Police to strengthen protection against snatching crimes

National Police Commissioner Neth Savoeun on Wednesday appealed to all units to strengthen crackdowns and provide more active protection as snatching crimes have increased in the past few years.

While presiding over the closing ceremony of Phnom Penh police’s annual meeting, General Savoeun asked all units to work expediently, especially commune police offices, to keep up with the needs of the people and strengthen crackdowns.

He also ordered an increased police presence in areas with heavy traffic congestion.“All provincial and district officers follow a specific plan and are strictly supervised by the commanding unit. Stealing and snatching crimes have increased so we must work together to prevent them,” Gen Savoeun said.

The Interior Ministry’s annual report last week showed that crimes such as theft with aggravating circumstances, rape, intentional murder and fraud decreased in 2017 while misdemeanours, such as snatching crimes, increased.

It said a total of 2,817 crimes were reported in 2017, a slight increase from the 2,785 crimes seen in 2016.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50269631/po ... ng-crimes/

darayd wrote: ↑Thu Mar 29, 2018 11:20 pm Yeah unfortunately this just happened to my girlfriend tonight on the corner of Preah Monivong Blvd and St 432 while trying to order a Passapp tuktuk. Can't complain too much, the same thing happened to me last year in the UK on the way to work in the morning

My better half 3 times in a year and a half... Always when i’m not around. Now i always ride some 100 meters behind her, hoping that it will happen again!

I was sitting in the coffee shop on 178 last Friday when an older, fairly frail looking couple (mid 70's I would guess) walked past. He was carrying a very expensive looking camera with a big telephoto lens, by the body of the camera on his left hand side (the street side). I said to them it wasn't a good idea and tried to explain why. They looked at me like I was a paranoid idiot and kept walking.
You can't help stupid people.

If you think Cambodia is bad, travel to Saigon. Even though I lived there most of five years, am familiar with the problem, I still forget and have had one phone taken and nearly another. The cops are in league with the thieves, as is the local Mafia, so at the very least, learn the “find my phone” feature for phones and tablets.
I have lessened the problem in one notorious area by rigging a dummy phone with large fish hooks and a stout line, catching two guys who are repeat offenders. I will not elaborate...just turned the tables...conclude what you will. One can take just so much.