Foreign Exploiter Countermeasures: Protecting Cambodia’s Business and Social Integrity

Not long ago, I watched a familiar pattern unfold in Phnom Penh.

A wealthy foreigner, who racked up hundreds of thousands in the last few years despite prior lack of documented wealth, facing legitimate questions about his conduct endorsing corruption in his organization, didn’t address the allegations and refused to pay for the services which we produced for him despite continuing to use our work-product.

Instead, he tried to provoke someone in my network — a technically talented but volatile figure — into confronting me. The idea was simple: cause disruption, muddy the waters, and create enough noise that the real issue got lost. The man called me at 11pm yesterday and raised his voice immediately and calling me names, instructing him to "listen closely to him" - at which point I hung up. Nobody has to tolerate disrespect.

Don't let yourself be intimidated - and intimidation doesn't work.

Adherence to the strictest ethical standards is often and wrongly seen as a weakness. It is in fact you most powerful weapon. If you have nothing to hide, nobody can attack you.

But the episode reminded me of how often Cambodia is used as a stage for these plays — and how important it is to call them out.

Some foreigners come here to build something meaningful. Others come to live well off the local cost of living while leveraging privilege, weak oversight, and social networks to prey on Cambodians.

Crucially, many of them remain subject to the criminal and regulatory jurisdictions of their home countries — especially for financial crimes, corruption, and fraud — without even realising it. They engage in actions that could put them in prison for a decade in their home countries, apparently completely unaware that financial crimes are subject to worldwide jurisdiction for most Western nationals.

If we want Cambodia to keep attracting genuine partners, we need to identify, document, and neutralise the bad-faith players — without putting Cambodians in the line of fire.

1. Identification

These individuals often share a profile:

• Mid-to-late career Westerners with enough wealth or passive income to live comfortably without working hard.

• Or early-career Westerners trying to "raise funds" for superficial ventures that makes no sense. I was recently asked to represent one such foreigner with OCIC to try and convince them to buy a deprecated plane from a local airline and turn it into an entertainment destination. While the idea seemed amusing, it was obviously financially untenable, so I said no.

• Deeply integrated into low-grade expat social circles but only superficially connected to Cambodian peers.

• Position themselves as “mentors,” “advisors,” “investors” or "business consultants" — roles that allow asymmetric control over resources and people. They often have a long history of failed ventures and stiffing naive local investors and will tell you that corruption is just how we do business here. Don't fall for that line.

• Legitimate Western mentors, advisors, investors and consultants exist; contrary to the fake ones, they have a documented track record of success and ethical compliance.

Behavioral tells:

• Offering “opportunities” that require Cambodians to work far below market value, on a commission-only basis, or give up equity without proportional support.

• Gatekeeping access to foreign networks in exchange for loyalty or silence.

• Using charitable projects or social causes as cover for self-promotion or profit.

2. Documentation

Evidence is power — and must be collected quietly and systematically. Exploiters have a tendency to dig in over time. Strategic patience allows for the accumulation of evidence while exploiters think their behavior is undetected.

• Archive communications: Emails, messages, and agreements.

• Capture patterns: Dates, times, and repeated behaviours matter more than one “gotcha” moment.

• Cross-reference witnesses: Even informal confirmations strengthen credibility.

3. Exposure Channels

Once documented, choose the right battlefield: regulatory bodies in their home countries. This does not burden Cambodian authorities and exposes foreign exploiters to prosecution by some of the most severe authorities in their home countries -- agencies with subpoena power and financial intelligence, which can follow-the-money and detect illegal enrichment or open an investigation on evidenced corruption whistleblowing.

4. Leverage Points

These actors often think they are untouchable — they’re not. Arrogance makes them complacent. They'll document their unlawful actions in writing, thinking it's normal. Think of regularly archiving your conversations, because the moment they realize what they've done, they'll try to erase it, not realising destruction of evidence can be construed as obstruction of justice.

• Reputational risk: Most have carefully cultivated images in their home countries. Documented misconduct here can have disproportionate impact there.

• Financial exposure: Many operate in legal grey zones with business structures that can’t withstand scrutiny. Do not hesitate to refer them to the proper authorities here. The Cambodian government deserves to know which foreigners are contributors and which are parasites. Prime Minister Hun Manet has wisely signaled zero-tolerance for corruption. Go to the Anti-Corruption Unit. Foreign exploiters can't play games with them.

• Home-jurisdiction vulnerability: Many remain legally liable under their own country’s laws — particularly for financial crimes, corruption, and fraud — even if the conduct occurs in Cambodia. As mentioned above, they often don’t realize it until they’re already under investigation.

5. Protective Measures for Cambodians

The most important rule: never make a Cambodian carry the political or legal risk of exposure.

• Foreign allies should be the public face of challenges when necessary.

• Cambodians should be shielded from retaliation through anonymous contributions to evidence collection.

• All interventions should account for how the target might retaliate socially, economically, or legally.

Why This Matters

This is not about being anti-foreigner — it is about being pro-Cambodia.

Every time a foreign predatory actor operates without consequences, it becomes harder for genuine partnerships to flourish.

By protecting Cambodian entrepreneurs, professionals, and communities from these bad-faith players, we protect the nation’s economic sovereignty and reputation.

Cambodia should be a place where foreign capital, skills, and networks empower local success — not where outsiders exploit openness for personal gain.

The time to draw that line is now. The foreign predators deserve to be made accountable and kicked out.

Hugo Roussel

Chairman & CEO - Kalama Intelligence