You gotta think your scams through

Topic: Cambodia Corruption

The Cambodia Daily is reporting that a man has been arrested for impersonating a member of Hun Sen's bodyguard. He told a group of villagers, who have been staging a protest here in Phnom Penh over a land dispute, that for $2,000 he would take their petition to Hun Sen and their problem would be solved.

So far, so scammy. He made his big mistake, though, when he asked for a $300 down payment. This prompted the villagers to report him to the police because the amount was too low.

So bribery? OK. The prime minister intervening in legal disputes? OK. The requested bribe not being big enough? Problem.