As the Khmer New Year was celebrated nationwide, several Facebook posts have claimed Apple offered a big discount for its AirPod series for those placing online orders to thank to the lower tariff rate imposed by the Cambodian government for American products. The promotions have gained substantial attention on social media, sparking widespread discussions and interactions among users. However, Fact Crescendo discovers these promotions are false.
SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIM
Various social media posts in recent weeks have claimed Apple offers a big discount for its AirPod series in Cambodian markets, adding the promotion is offered for those placing online orders only.
The most recent Facebook post stated that Apple offers nearly 80 percent off its AirPod series for the first 200 customers placing online orders.
The claim continued that the significant offer follows the Cambodian government’s reduction of its tariff rate to as low as 5 percent for products imported from the United States.
Featured in the screenshot is the Facebook post from April 17, 2025, showcasing the caption: “Apple Thanks the Cambodian markets for the 5% tax reduction with an Exclusive Offer.”
The Facebook caption continues: “In response to the recent policy reducing import taxes on U.S. products to just 5%, thousands of people queued for 4-5 hours in front of stores to get their hands on Apple products. As a result, Apple has decided to open online sales to make it easier for customers to shop and access premium technology at more attractive prices than ever before. This initiative is aimed at helping users access genuine Apple products without the high cost typically associated with them. Currently, Apple is offering a special online promotion for the AirPod Pro 2, available exclusively to the first 200 customers.”
Another Facebook post claimed that Apple announced a significant discount on its AirPods Pro for online orders, saying that the promotion commemorates the 49th anniversary of the American tech giant.
Featured in the screenshot is the Facebook post from April 9, 2025, showcasing the caption: “Apple celebrates its 49th anniversary (1976-2025) with the biggest discount in its 49-year history – AirPod Pro 2 reduced from $230 to only $39.”
In addition, several Facebook posts in Khmer have claimed that the American tech giant is offering substantial discounts on its products to mark various occasions.
Below is a screenshot of the April 9, 2025, Facebook post, featuring a caption written in Khmer. The provided translation conveys an equivalent meaning.
Without marking any special occasion, another Facebook post in Khmer stated that a local Apple-authorized store also offered a big promotion for AirPods 3, discounting 80 percent for those placing online orders.
All of the Facebook posts mentioned above garnered significant attention and engagement across social media platforms and among users.
FACT CHECK
Fact Crescendo investigated this claim using different tools, including Google Reverse Image Search, to uncover the following details.
Performing a Google Reverse Image Search revealed the photo’s origin, which dates back over a decade.
ABC News reported in late 2013 that the photograph depicts a large crowd of people waiting in line outside an Apple store in Munich, Germany, taken in March 2012.
It indicates that the photo was incorporated into a manipulated image, which has been widely shared on social media to mislead users into believing it is authentic.
Below is a screenshot from the ABC News report, featuring the photo caption: “People crowd in front of an Apple store in Munich, Germany, in this March 16, 2012 photo.”
Another photo depicting a big crowd of people waiting at an Apple store is the image of Chinese customers queuing to enter an Apple store to buy the iPhone 14 series in Shanghai in September 2022, according to a CNBC report in September 2023.
Below is a screenshot from the CNBC report, showing the photo caption: “Customers line up to enter an Apple store as the iPhone 14 series goes on sale in Shanghai on Sept. 16, 2022.”
Another photo, showing a crowd gathered outside a local Apple-authorized store, was taken during the official launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in Cambodia in 2014.
Below is a screenshot from a local media report showing several individuals gathered outside the local Apple-authorized store in Phnom Penh, waiting for the official launch of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
KhmerLoad Report | Archived Link
Although the American tech giant does not have an official store in Cambodia, its products are distributed and sold through authorized resellers, such as iOne.
According to a 2014 Business Insider report, Apple Inc. has no official Facebook page. The Business Insider article said that the American tech giant has had conflicts for some time. Apple Inc. does not have a Twitter account either.
Upon reviewing all the links provided for placing online orders and shared in various Facebook posts, none of them are official websites of Apple or its authorized stores in Phnom Penh.
Additionally, the Facebook pages that shared these promotional announcements are not affiliated with the official pages of Aeon Mall or iOne. These pages lack any verified affiliation with either companies, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the promotions they advertise. As neither Aeon Mall nor iOne has publicly endorsed these posts, users should exercise caution when engaging with such content online.
Such gifts posted on social media have been prevalent for years and are recognized as online scams by digital security experts.
A digital security trainer Chhit Kanika says such deceptive advertising has been around for a long time, using the names of well-known companies such as Toyota and Coca-Cola.
The digital security expert explained that these enticing advertisements are phishing attacks, aiming to prompt social media users to take actions such as clicking on links or submitting personal information.
Ms. Kanika advised social media users to avoid getting involved in such Facebook posts and to comply with any instructions or requirements in the future. She cautioned that personal information leaks could occur, which might be exploited by malicious individuals for nefarious purposes.
Last year, Cambodia’s Anti-Cyber Crime Department within the Ministry of Interior issued a warning about the risks faced by internet users, particularly those who engage in online activities or advertising.
Fact Crescendo has thoroughly investigated and debunked these claims and promotional offers, exposing them as phishing scams designed to exploit the trust of social media users.
These scams frequently misuse the names and logos of reputable global brands, including Apple, to create a facade of legitimacy. By doing so, they aim to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive personal information or making payments under pretenses.
This tactic has been widely recognized as a common method used by cybercriminals to target unsuspecting victims. The revelations serve as a critical reminder for users to remain vigilant online, verify the authenticity of offers, and avoid interacting with unverified sources.
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CONCLUSION
Fact Crescendo concluded that the claims described above are false. They are not legitimate promotions issued by any official Apple-authorized stores in Cambodia. Instead, these fraudulent schemes are phishing scams that exploit the names and reputations of well-known global brands to mislead individuals. The purpose of these scams is to trick unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive personal information or making payments under false and deceptive pretenses.
Title:Phishing Scams Exploiting Apple Products Resurface on Social Media
Written By: Jay UdomResult: False
