Phnom Penh Gang Cuts Wall, Steals $30,000 from Exchange

A daring late-night robbery has shaken Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, after a gang broke through a concrete wall to loot a money exchange house, escaping with nearly $30,000 in cash and valuables.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on 25 September at the Chekhi money exchange on Street 2004, Sangkat Obek Kaom. According to police reports, the homeowner—a military officer—had locked the premises before heading to work, while his wife and children were away.

Upon returning, he found the house in disarray: the back door ajar, belongings scattered, and a section of the concrete wall cut clean through. A handgun was also reported missing.

Authorities believe the gang had planned the break-in with precision, exploiting the absence of occupants and targeting the exchange’s cash reserves. Police arrived shortly after the alarm was raised, but the suspects had already fled the scene.

The homeowner’s wife, reportedly overwhelmed by the loss, fainted and was taken to hospital. Meanwhile, the officer has filed a formal complaint at the Obek Kam State Police Station, prompting an active investigation.

Local residents expressed concern over the brazenness of the crime, which has raised questions about security in the area. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The theft underscores growing anxieties around urban crime in Phnom Penh, where rapid development has outpaced enforcement in some districts. For now, the Chekhi exchange remains closed, its future uncertain as the search for the culprits continues.

-2025-09-28