What would you be willing to do to feed your children if you had no money? What if you woke up hungry every single day with little to no hope, like so many do around the world? Would you lay withering in your own misery and give up? Or would you do what it took to survive?

Those are some very extreme and hard questions to answer. A moral human being would struggle between survival and morality. Truth is, there are people desperate enough in this world, including the Philippines, that will resort to anything including scams and being dishonest to the unsuspecting. Unfourtantly in the Philippines, the scams and corruption start all the way at the top and work to the bottom. The Philippine government and the country are not poor, but unemployment and poverty still remains a major problem.

So if the government isn't poor, but the people are, what are the people doing to survive, when they are jobless? Many will set their morals aside and do what they can. It actually has started to become morally acceptable that young Filipinas turn to online dating sites with the sole intent to prey upon the unsuspecting.

SCAMS TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES

Even though I created this guide for traveling to the Philippines, just about every single one of these scams is used worldwide in many countries so this guide can be used as a universal warning guide when traveling.

ONLINE DATING SCAMS

One of the first scams a foreigner could experience is online from a Filipina dating site or any other way they could have met online. Before going any further, it should be understood that not every single Filipina wants to have a relationship, marry, or want anything to do with a foreigner. It seems to be a misconception that this is the case, although there are plenty who honestly and eagerly do. So why are they on online dating sites if they do not want anything to do with a foreigner? It comes down to lack of jobs and survival, it is their business, their lively hood.

Not every Filipina using online dating sites is looking for love. Sorry to break it to you. The scammers create fake online profiles often using pictures that are also not authentic. In the world of business, it's often heard that time is money, the same holds true here. The scammer often professes their love quickly. They will use guilt and manipulate you into feeling different emotions all in the hopes of getting money for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel etc.

One way of the first ways to check if the person is authentic is by doing a photo search using your web browser. If you do an image search and the person’s photo appears under several different names, you’re probably are being scammed or about to get scammed.

The bottom line is: Don’t send money to someone you met online for any reason. Not until you have at least met them in person and have spent a great deal of time with them. Most honest Filipinas will be shy to ask you for money, shaming oneself and family is a big deal in the Philippines. Sometimes, however, the whole family is in on the scam. You have to be smart and take your time. Online dating scams are all too common. There are probably tens of thousands of victims, and only a small fraction actually report it.

TOURIST AND SCAMS

Knowing ahead of time as a tourist or a first time visitor to the Philippines that YOU WILL be targeted by scammers is a huge advantage. A tourist is preyed upon because they are vulnerable, unfamiliar with their surroundings, are often searching for help or information, and often are trusting to those offering it. A tourist tends to have larger than normal amounts of money on them, don't speak the local language, are reliant on the public transportation and are probably looking to keep a low profile and avoid any trouble with anyone, especially the law.

Crime and scams are defiantly a concern in the Philippines. A statement from the U.S. Government found on our says this about crime and scams in the Philippines.

Crime is a concern in the Philippines. As a rule of thumb, U.S. citizens should exercise good judgment and remain aware of their surroundings. Reports of confidence games (con games), pickpocketing, Internet scams, and credit/ATM card fraud are common. U.S. citizens should be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to befriend them, especially just after their arrival in the country. It is best not to accept food, drink, or rides in private vehicles from strangers, even if they appear to be legitimate. There have been several cases of solo travelers meeting people on Roxas Boulevard in downtown Manila, striking up a conversation, developing a relationship, and then being invited to a tourist destination outside of Manila under the guise of meeting their Philippine family. The travelers are taken to the area and, typically during a meal, are given a substance that renders them unconscious. They are then robbed of valuables, including their ATM cards, which are then used to drain their bank accounts. While U.S. citizens are not typically targeted, kidnappings, violent assaults, murder-for-hire and other violent crimes do occur in the Philippines.

SCAMS TO BEWARE OF THAT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE

"The Local" Helper Scam

A local scammer is fully aware you may have no idea where you are going. These scammers prey upon knowing this and offer you help or service that is deceptive. This involves you paying for something you normally wouldn't have to or pointing you in a direction you don't need to be going to set you up. They will gain your trust and loyalty by being friendly and appearing genuinely caring and helpful, but with an agenda of gaining something monetarily.

If you feel you are being targeted by one of these types of scammers ( use your gut instinct ) simply walk away, ignore them, and move on. Try to cease any conversation with them and not allowing them to continue with their tactics. Eventually, they will catch on that you probably know what they are up to and won't waste too much more time trying to scam you and move onto a new victim. Causing a big scene could escalate the problem and only recommended if you feel endangered.

"The Taxi Driver Hotel" Scam

Taxi drivers have several ways of scamming the unsuspecting. First thing, keep your luggage in the back seat with you and not in the trunk. In the Philippines, the driver is most likely going to help you place it there and will expect a tip for it. A tip isn't a scam. The reason you want to keep the luggage with you is if a scam is happening. You can easily access your luggage and get out with it and look for a new taxi if you need to. Next, agree on a rate and a destination before getting into the taxi. Make sure the meter is zeroed out. All pretty basic so far right?

Here's where they can get a little crafty on you. Once you are moving the taxi driver might start making conversation about where you are going, your hotel, a restaurant or where ever you are headed. In doing so he or she might offer up the advice of a "better" or "cheaper" place, or might advise you that place is closed now. This all could be true, but the reality is more likely that the driver is getting a commission or kickback for bringing you to that "better" or "cheaper" place, which most likely will end up costing more in the end.

In some instances, you might get a driver who takes a detour, or a longer way around on the way to your hotel. Or tell you it's closed like above. This is simply to charge you more or bring you blatantly to the wrong hotel hoping you didn't pre-book and will just go to the hotel he or she brought you to earning his kick back.

A few things you can do to avoid these situations is to be aware where you are going before needing the taxi, know the route, if possible, have your room pre-booked and let the driver know you are already reserved at the place. In the worst case, simply grab your luggage and get out at a convenient stop. The very best option, especially in a foreign country as a foreigner is not to have to use the taxi system at all. If at all possible having someone you know to pick you up or by using the airport shuttle if possible.

"Sorry It's Closed Sir" scam

These scammers tend to often be working with taxi drivers. You are being brought to a major tourist destination, you are left by the taxi driver and off you go. The driver often will drop you off ways away from the entrance. Standing outside you come across a friendly "local" standing there. The "local" explains to you it is closed due to (whatever reason: holiday, maintenance, etc) The "local" in his smiling pleasant nature offers to take you to a much nicer destination nearby, for a fee of course. If you refuse the taxi is conveniently still nearby who will gladly charge you again to take you to a far away destination.

Typically this local is lying and the attraction or place is actually open. You want to always make sure you check for yourself as long it doesn't seem dangerous to do so. Simply walk to the entrance where the scammer will stop following you unless of course, it is unlikely, not open.

Another scam common at these major destinations and attractions is the scammers who will be standing by a parking space and wave you into the spot or back into. Once you get out, they expect you to tip them for their expertise of guiding you into the spot. They will most likely offer up their superb services of protecting your vehicle while you are inside. Simply drive to the next available spot where there doesn't seem to be anyone around, otherwise, you will find the scammer leaning on your car until you tip them.

"The Persistent Pest" scam

Another scam that involves mostly locals. A local, a vendor, or a merchant might try to forcibly and persistently try to help or sell you something expecting you tip or buy something from them. They could be overly helpful with just about anything, maybe try to carry your bags for you or jump right in while you are looking at a street map. They do this expecting a tip.

While walking down the street in a crowded city you might be faced with a vendor shoving a newspaper in your face, following you for blocks trying to get you to buy it. And it might be in a language you can't even read, like one of the writers here experienced on his first trip to the Philippines. You may have a sunglasses vendor forcibly put glasses on you to try out different styles. They can be persistent and pesky. Not so much a scam as an annoyance, however, a lot of people give in and buy the cheap item just so they go away.

"The Poor Person" scam

It's quite obvious when you see poverty in any country. It's when poverty and the poor person is used in a deceitful way that can be irritating. The poor person scam has all kinds of variations, too many to go into detail for. Some examples might be young children used as pawns to sell or beg for money. Often time these scammers are actually living quite well by deceiving foreigners that they are poor. What is sad, is the poor are really poor. It's sad to see the really needy not get the help they so desperately need while others take advantage of generous people.

This type of scam even happens in the U.S. There have been several instances where it was found out that beggars from a street corner where actually quite wealthy. In the Philippines you defiantly won't find a shortage of people appearing to beg for, want or need help and utilize being poor to their advantage. If you have some spare pesos and big heart you will defiantly find those who truly need it. After awhile you will figure out who are the ones playing the game instead and looking only to deceive you for an easy peso. Best advice here is use due diligence and trust your gut instincts.

"I've been robbed" scam

You are enjoying a nice walk enjoying the ocean when a panicked man runs up to you telling you he's just been robbed. What do you do? A normal person would probably automatically feel for this person and want to help them out. I mean he is clearly shaken up. The man asks if you know where the local police station is because they just stole everything he had. Of course, you have no idea most likely, or maybe you do. It won't matter to him that is just part of the ploy to get your support. He will most likely get emotional again and start a sob story about how the police there are corrupt and won't help him anyway. It's then he will turn to you for assistance, even if it's a little bit just to get on transportation home because after all he was left with nothing. They are happy taking any amount in this scam, and will do this scam multiple times in a day.

"Souvenir" scam

This seems to be a pretty common scam around the world. It simply is a person asking for a souvenir of your countries currency. Typically, of course, they want the highest value amount they can to show off to everyone. You might experience this at airports from assistants and workers, people who you have befriended during your stay, or if you are dating someone from that country from their family members or neighbors even. It's up to you if you wish to give them a souvenir, even though it's a deceiving way of getting money from your pocket.

"The gift that's not really a gift" scam

You are walking around minding your own business when a sweet lady starts talking to you and offers you a gift. Or maybe they tell you it's a lucky charm or present to take with you. Soon after they give you this gift they will continue to make small talk and follow you. At some point they will start demanding money from you for the item you have and that it wasn't free. Causing a big scene around the locals, most people give in and give them money.

To avoid this scam, simply don't accept anything for free. If it is too good to be true, it probably is.

"The dropped cash or wallet" scam

A scam involving, at least, two people is one where a wallet or cash is placed or dropped strategically in a place a person will notice it and pick it up. As soon as you pick it up a person will appear offering to split the money with you not to say anything. A second person appears claiming they just lost their money or wallet with money in it. The two working together with you will count the money then claim there is some money missing and blame you for taking some of the money and force you to give them money for the difference that is missing, or they will call the law and have you thrown in jail. There are several variations on how this scam works, but it generally involves the work of two people that are very good at acting the part.

"The dirty little" scam

A somewhat common scam involves placing something on your clothing, shoes, or anything on your person that either stains it or makes it dirty. As you are walking by someone will point out to you and offer you a service to get it cleaned up, usually at a quite high price. What you didn't notice was the person a block away purposely placing or making your item dirty so you would need whatever service they are offering, such as shoe shining.

This scam is also used in connection with pickpocketing. The person will distract you by placing something in an odd spot making you look a certain way. While you are distracted by what he placed on you, he pickpockets you.

"The sick family" scam

This is a very common scam in the Philippines and is used a lot, it is even used on family members who live outside the Philippines. Guilt is often the main tactic deployed. The person will claim a family member is urgently sick, got hurt, or is in the hospital and needs urgent care but they do not have money. In the Philippines, most hospitals won't allow you in unless you pay something upfront, so it is possible they are telling the truth. However, more often than not it is used as a scam to get money for a new iphone or some other item they want rather than for a medical emergency.

This scam can become quite an elaborate as well, they might go as far as staging a picture to "prove" the person is hurt but, in reality, it's all a setup fake picture they sent. This is one of the hardest scams to deal with, as it tugs at your inner self and wanting to help a person who might really be sick, hurt or need urgent medical attention.

"The fake police or guard" scam

In the Philippines, it is not very likely you will be pulled over by the police while driving. There seems to be no law, rhyme or reason to how people drive here. It's chaotic at best and the painted lines on the road seem invisible. However, you will see a crap ton of police and guards standing guard outside on foot, mainly at entrances to stores, banks etc.

Some scammers have used this to their advantage by posing as the police or a guard and will accuse you of some kind of wrongdoing, but will give you the option to pay your way out of the situation. Not knowing the area, especially as a tourist, you may give in and just pay the fine they are suggesting, or the correct term would be a bribe.

The problem in the Philippines is often times legitimate police and guards will offer up some kind of benefit for money as well. Usually, this has some kind of benefit for you, though, like getting placed farther ahead in that long line you are standing in, just as an example. This seems to be more common when trying to get any kind of government documentation and government buildings. Either way, it is a scam to get into your pockets.

"The foreign rate vs local rate" scam?

Deciding if this is a scam or not is for each individual to decide. This scam takes advantage of your ignorance of the area and not knowing the true costs of a good or service for the area. Markups as high as 3-5 times is not out of the norm. Some vendors will have the rates listed for a foreigner versus the local rate, at least, these people are honest by listing it in the open. I have seen this on trikes many times.

If you plan to move to or live in the Philippines, it is in your best interest to learn the local rates and find a way to make sure that is the rate you are paying, after all, you are living there now and should get a local rate. In our case, my wife who is Filipina does most of the wheeling and dealing to avoid overpaying as often as we can.

"The damaged or stolen" scam

Vehicle rentals are available in the Philippines. When you are in Manila you might want to rent a car, if you are out in the provinces you may with to just rent a motorbike to get around. Regardless of what you rent, there will most likely be a walk around to inspect the damage on the rental, there might be some insurance options in some cases as well to consider. It is recommended to take as many pictures and even a video of the rental during this process and take as much time as you need. Don't allow them to rush the process on you.

The scam involves damage done to the rental when you return it, or in some extreme instances, the rental is missing or stolen. In reality, it is a scam involving several people where the rental is purposely damaged or stolen, while you are sleeping at night, or even if you just parked it and ran into the store quick. This is done to get more money from you for damages or to replace a stolen missing rental. Most of the time the rental will surprisingly show up for rent again shortly after and or the damage will not be fixed that was done by one of the scammers in the first place. If moving to and living in the Philippines, it is highly suggested to buy your own vehicle and keep it in a safe place. Buying a vehicle is another topic all on its own, make sure to research well and use precaution, as many times a vehicle much older or in rough shape is made to look and sold as a brand new vehicle, when it actually is not.

"The sorry sir, no change sir" scam

A very common scam is the sorry sir we don't have change for that sir. Let's say you run into the mall and purchase a bottle of shampoo and the cost is 250 pesos. You only have a 500 peso bill as your smallest bill. You hand over the 500 expecting you will get your change in return, this is when you are met with the sorry sir, we don't have change for that sir. You can either now pay 500 for that shampoo or get nothing at all. If you decide the nothing at all route, they may get pushy and just talk you into buying something you really didn't go there for in the first place.

Other tactics used here are to distract you as much as possible as they spend 10 minutes packaging up your shampoo hoping you don't notice they forgot to give you your change back when they finally hand over your item. You might experience a sudden lack of understanding English as well at this point.

Your best course of action is to always verify they have the correct change for you before handing them your money. If they do not, simply walk away and leave the merchandise, because they are probably about to try and scam you somehow.

"The currency exchange rate" scam

This is just another scam that plays into not knowing local currency and exchange rates. Simply when you go to get some of your home country currency converted you are not aware of the actual current exchange rate and are quoted a rate less than what it is. The person doing the exchange obviously benefits as they are not giving you the correct amount, on top of that they usually have a few associated with doing the exchange.

Nowadays access to exchange rates on your phone is pretty easy. If you find yourself out in the rural countryside try to know the rates beforehand if you know you will need to make an exchange.

"The correct currency" scam

Being vigilant and paying attention is all is needed to avoid this scam. Knowing what the local currency looks like for each denomination will help save you from being scammed by someone who tries to give you a different note that might look very similar to another one. Pay attention to the colors and amount and learn the currency.

"His word against my word" scam

This involves paying for an item before actually receiving it, such as a food item. You place the order, they go get the item and come back and claim you owe more or you didn't pay at all. It is his word against yours at this point. You can either walk away at a loss or pay the little extra he is trying to scam out of you. Hard to avoid this scam in some instances, unless you totally avoid vendors that take money before receiving a good or service.

"The misleading price" scam

Another street food or vendor scam, where a very low price is listed in plain sight. It seems like a good deal so you order up some. They prepare and hand you the item or food and are told a much higher price than posted. This is when they tell you the price shown is per gram or per piece or some other gimmick that mislead you on the actual price. You are often told you must buy it now because they either cut it up ( meat as an example ) or scooped it up ( ice cream as an example ) and you must pay or they will call the police.

Verify the price listed on hand with them so you both have a clear understanding of what is wanted and what it will cost. Or you could risk it and just walk away, and hope they don't call the police, which they probably won't.

"The Gambler" scams

There are a ton of gambling scams out there. Card games and tricks, blackjack, 3 card Monty, to rooster bets and fights. It is highly advised to not get yourself involved in any sort of gambling in a foreign country unless you know them personally or it's a regulated establishment.

"pickpockets" thieves and scammers

There are some really good people out there at pickpocketing. Not so much a scam as a plain theft, though. If you spend any time walking around Manila you will notice the majority of people where their backpacks facing forward in front of them. This isn't because it is the cool thing to do and it looks awesome. This is to avoid being pickpocketed. Some things you can do to avoid getting pickpocketed:

• Don't let someone distract you
• Carry a wallet that has a chain attached to you in some way
• Get a wallet with buttons or a zipper
• Try not to carry any more valuables than needed
• Wear your backpack facing forward
• Don't set down your bags or backpacks
• Try to travel with a companion at all times

"Stagged fights"

Staged fights are a concern as a foreigner. You might be walking down the street and stumble across what appears to be a street fight or brawl. Your inner self really wants to intervene, especially if it appears to be a helpless old man or a woman.

However, when you step in to help you will find yourself having pictures taken of you by some bystander (part of the setup) and blackmailed for money or they will take the pictures to the police accusing you of beating up this helpless person.

It is absolutely best to avoid all fights and confrontations when living in the Philippines. It will probably not end well. A high bribe to get out of jail or worse yet sent packing back to your home country. Suck up your pride and avoid fights and confrontations. There will be plenty of local help for that person being attacked if it really is a legitimate fight going on in most instances.

"Bargirls, prostitutes, ladyboys"

Bargirls, prostitutes, and massage parlors are often places that will prey on foreigners. All kinds of scams and methods of stealing your money are used. From slipping something into what you are drinking, to getting you drunk, to taking you back to a hotel and actually sleeping with you and stealing all your stuff after you have fallen to sleep. Police may be called and you find yourself in the police station being accused of rape, but of course you can pay a hefty fine to get out.

Ladyboys are also prevalent, especially in the Philippines. You might be deceived into thinking the beautiful girl you are with is the girl of your dreams only to find out it's actually a male. Use extreme caution if you are interested in this kind of place, as they run a high risk of becoming a victim.

"Unsafe water" scams

A real concern in some of the poor countries is water quality. You defiantly want to be drinking safe clean water. One of the worst things is getting sick from bad food or water. Often times hotels or vendors will prey upon knowing this by suggesting only drinking "their" bottled water which is often times jacked up in price by a lot.

Do some research on the safety of the water in your area, it's probably safe to drink or head over to the local grocery store to pick up your bottled water where there isn't an insane markup on it.

"Translation and miscommunication" scams

In the Philippines, English is widely spoken and understood, especially when it is a business of some kind. Often times vendors or maybe even at some hotels, a person might start acting as they don't understand your English when in reality they do. They are doing this to charge you a higher price or scam you somehow by using a lost in translation defense. If they claim to not understand you, get someone to translate for you or demand someone who speaks and understands English. Settle and pay on a price with total understanding and get it in writing.

"Manila Airport" scams

The Philippines has had scam with workers ( such as guards ) who would open luggage and implant bullets, a scam called tanim-bala. Those bullets then are found by airport staff who then demand bribes to be let passengers go so they don't get detained and miss their plane, and are allowed to fly onward to their destination. More recently there has been an initiative to try and clean up the Manila airport as it has been in recent years been voted the worst airport terminal in southeast Asia.

A Few Things You Can Do To Avoid Becoming A Victim

Common sense checklist:

• travel with companions, try to stay together, and always informed
• don't answer simple questions from strangers about what hotel you are staying at, where you are from, or what your business, or why you are there
• don't carry unnecessary amounts of cash or expensive items around with you so
• if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• be wary of any stranger who seems to be singling you out for extended special attention, especially if they are trying to persuade you to leave your friends or accompany them to an unknown area
• don't have your name printed on the outside of your bags in case someone approaches you using your name pretending to know you
• you are not required to be polite or friendly to anyone who refuses to leave you alone when you request it
• alcohol and other drugs affect your judgment and should be indulged in only among people you have good reason to trust
• always agree on any prices before you accept any products, services or accommodation, and always have some proof of payment
• get as much in writing as possible, don't hand over cash without knowing if you can get change
• always stay vigilant and aware, don't let yourself get distracted. This doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself

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I hope I can prevent at least one person from experiencing any of these scams on their next vaction or trip to a different country. A whole trip can be ruined and a countries reputation can be tarnished from anyone of these silly scams.

If you enjoyed and found this guide to be helpful, please consider giving it an UPVOTE!

Thank You,

♥♥ Jen ♥♥
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