Philippines Scams & Warnings

Archive for November, 2007

Editor’s Note: This is a controversial post that is opposed by several people who have gone to the effort to clone the poster’s web sites. Whereas we at Philippines Scams don’t take sides, we do urge caution when reading this or any of the posts on this or any other web site. We have decided not to remove this post at this time as we have no proof one way or the other that the poster isn’t relating genuine events to the best of his recollection. You be the Judge. Caveat Emptor.

Philippines Hospital Scams

This is not blind revenge – simply an effort to warn others and to make it difficult for this particular group, practicing emotional extortion, to continue their despicable trade.We all lie – white lies – we all distort the truth from time to time, however the people incriminated in the following are of a different calibre.
This is professional racketeering by people suffering from the impoverished conditions that unfortunately befalls the vast majority living in the Philippines,  constantly alert for any way to make more money for themselves.
Morals don’t seem to concern them.

Aware of the potential in the raw power of emotions – like an untapped natural resource – they resort to a type of suburban savagery, using modern technology to wreak their havoc – destroying lives in the process – as they consciously manipulate situations to be able to take advantage of people’s sincere and deeply felt emotions – yes – people’s love – for their own material gain.I have found that they quite readily employ the concepts we regard as Holy, to try to endorse, add a sense of legitimacy to their evil endeavours – the name of God and His angels – swearing on The Almighty that the words they speak and write are the truth.
Revealing sociopathic behaviour, these pathological liars are utterly ruthless in their pursuit – with not a single care for the resulting devastation to their victims’ lives – only the cold, single minded  intent of aquiring money.

Believe me when I tell you that evil is not too strong a word to describe them – masquerading behind the exquisite preciousness, the sacredness of love and the trust it naturally engenders – with their deceit, their cunning and their greed.

It is a lasting shame that the social and political conditions of the country contribute so much to cause this thriving underworld – and make it a breeding ground for racketeering -  Tierra Mafia – although behaviour is always a matter of  personal choice.

Of course, I have a responsibility to bear in all of this – if it were not for people like me, this sort of behaviour, these activities could not possibly exist – my only defense is that I was totally genuine and honest in my pursuit of a loving relationship and marriage.

Love without trust is like a ship without water.
But the trust that developed in this case, as far as the girl was concerned, was for one sole purpose. As in all love affairs, a sense of trust is cultivated – here it was nutured and nourished, groomed by a fantasy lover, changing colour like a chameleon to obtain the maximum depth of feeling – merely so that it could ultimately be abused.

All requests for help from her have had four common denominators:

1) They are situations tailored to maximise the degree of emotionally conditioned response from me.
2) They all contain a large proportion of fiction.
3) They require that I send her some money.
4) The requests are never direct – but are a blatantly obvious squeezing process.

Here is a shortened version of the events that happened.
The full story, from A – Z  with accompanying photographs, is available HERE.
The year is 2007.

* April 14th. I join the DateInAsia site. Profile just completed, photograph still awaiting approval – Curly Hair contacts me. This is the start of the adventure. I discover her name is Mayen. She works for a real estate firm as a Property Consultant. She is very beautiful – and we appear to be hitting it off straight away. We return day after day to keep the flame burning.

* April 21st. Mayen writes ” . . . but you know what, i do suggest tim that you will first visit in the phillipines and experience our culture . . . it would be an unforgetable experience you ever have . . .  “

* April 27th. We arrange for me to visit in June – there is a Barrio Fiesta in her province and I will be able to meet her family.

This is our home for the first week and on our return from the province.

* June 18th. I fly to the Philippines – we meet – I have a wonderful, but expensive time. Mayen initiates our physical liason – and we live like lovers – continuing our plans for marriage, my emigration. I meet Sir Francis (her boss) – her work colleagues – and eventually, her family.

* June 29th. I fly back to the UK – I have a weeks work in Jersey before I arrive back home.

*  July 8th. Chatting to Mayen – she requests I send her some money to help with her internet expenses – but the request transforms into money for a health check – suspected Dengue Fever. My suspicions are aroused – but my love is already too deep.

*  July 13th. Mayen informs me that she is showing symptoms of being pregnant. I am scared, but delighted – but wondering if this is true – the situation is starting to show symptoms of being a classic “Honey Pot Trap.”

*  July 15th. I meet Sir Francis at the Barrio Fiesta in Hounslow UK. I suggest to Mayen that I give him an engagement ring to bring back for her. Mayen agrees, but insists that I do not tell him what the gift is.

*  July 25th. Book another flight to the Philippines for 14th – 28th August.

*  July 27th. Mayen supposed to return for another health check to confirm pregnancy – but she doesn’t bother – she has already told me it was a false alarm.

* August 2nd. Receive another request and send more money – this time for new lodgings.

* August 8th. We have a long chat session – Mayen is visiting her sister in Quezon City.

* August 10th. 6.30 am – I receive a call from Mayen, moments after I log on to the Yahoo Messenger. She is in hospital – The Medical Center Paranaque – it transpires during the morning that she has to have an operation for an Ectopic Pregnancy. Would I send some money? I panic – completely ambivalent now – true or false. This is the perfect ruse for emotional extortion. I call Sir Francis who is there with Mayen – he has paid some deposits towards her hospitalisation. I speak to Mayen on her cellphone after the operation ” . . . huhuhuh . . . no more babies . . . timmyboy . . . send the money . . .” I speak to my friend Jim on the phone – we are both convinced it is a scam – but are surprised at how many people are incriminated – it must be an organised crime setup.
I delete all Mayen’s emails, block her email address, delete my profile at DIA, remove her from my Yahoo Messenger. The best thing to do is cut off all contact.

* August 11th. No sleep – what if it is true? This is absolute hell, I’m torn completely in half by love and doubt. I hear one word of a voice message on my phone – I can’t handle hearing her voice. It’s text, IM and email only from now on.

* August 12th. I establish contact again. Marivien, Mayen’s work colleague and go between -  has a  chat session with me. Would I send 50,000 pesos via Western Union? I insist on dealing only directly with the hospital – besides I am due to arrive on the Wednesday (15th) – I need to know urgently what the hospital bill will be to assess if I can still afford the trip. Insist that they pass this on to the hospital.

* August 13th. A critical day – the last chance I have to draw the cash from the bank, get traveller’s cheques if I decide to still fly.
I do decide to fly. Visit the bank, get traveller’s cheques, visit the church for a blessing – I am scared stiff. Call in to see my friend Jim. I end up giving him my passport and traveller’s cheques so that I cannot go – we both consider that it would be dangerous.

* August 14th. They think I’m somewhere in the air between UK and Manila – so I have a peaceful day.

* August 15th. Bang on the time my flight is landing the SMS and phone calls start. I do not reply. I’ll keep them guessing for a while.

So to cut a very long, complicated story short – I decided to stay in the UK and face the virtually impossible task of finding out the truth – in some concrete way. I tried to enlist help from all sorts of people, websites, government agencies, Embassies – with few exceptions the response was non existent – apart from my staunch friend Jim.
Together we set about forensically examining every little strand of information that we received – building up psychological patterns of the people we were dealing with 6,000 miles away. The burden of proof was theirs. Through their total incompetence – one way or the other – the result appeared an obvious scam – either incompetence in portraying the genuine truth to me – or incompetence in pulling off the scam without raising my suspicions.  But still all we had was circumstantial. What we needed was unequivocal evidence.

I wrote a detailed journey of my visit to the Philippines to meet Mayen – it was an unforgetable experience.
What started out as a story of romance and hope takes a twisted turn – I decided to keep a record of everything – please read it at the link above, if you care to share my feelings – day to day – as the whole episode unravelled – Journey Into My Heart.

Reportsmjmillertime72 writes “Mayciel Gella has asked and recieved money from more then one USA male trying to get out of the philippines due to her father trying to rap her. she is also claiming that her mother is in the hospital and she needs money to help pay for a doctor which is infact her uncle by the name of Rene Tabodaon! which is not a doctor at all.

I have proof of her dishonest intent by email’s and IM’s she has sent. she is using yahoo and phillippine pen-pal web site. as far as I know she has scammed two usa males into sending money,promising to be loving, faithful, and to get to Manila so she can get her paperwork in order to visit the usa.This is not a joke this is A REAL SCAM. This is the address she is using

MAYCIEL GELLA
PULI , CANITOAN ,
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY 9000 ,
PHILIPPINES

surfing LoveAccess again and have ran across an interesting topic in the Philippines. Young women, most all still in college, willing to talk when they are online. These are beautiful women but, I have discovered that one had made a mistake in her picture on the Yahoo profile page. She was actually posting pics of Miss Philippines 2001.

I found that when I ran my mouse across the picture and at the bottom of my browser, the identification of the photo came up. And I researched the name on the internet. She never asked for any money but, did have me confused with someone else that I guess was supposed to buy her a mobile phone …..lol

Since then, I have talked to two different ones. And the first night seemed to go by very nicely. And the second night, there was a question, “can you help me”? Help with what I asked? “Help me with the cost for the computer rent”, they say. The first one I drew back from because of this.

Then lastnight, once again another young, beautiful woman. I figured what the hey. All the pictures were taken by a professional photographer this time. I messaged her and there was a short wait and she replied. We had a pleasant conversation, short and really nothing to it.

Tonight, it was different. The tone of “can you help me”, was almost not far past the “hello’s” and how are “you’s”. I went on and questioned the “help”. She said “the computer rent was pretty high and she would need it, if we were to talk more.” And asked me if I could send $50.00. Well, then I started using the common sense God gave me and prodded her for more info about how I was to send her money.

SURPRISE !! Western Union. and then she asked me again if I would help her. I told her I would have to think about it and let her know. Actually , what was first coming to my mind was, to get here and write a post about it. It was strangely no coincidence that lightening would strike twice so quickly I felt.

I am almost inclined to send the $50.00 to see where it leads to next but, I feel like I already know the answer to that. Another $50.00 next week because, “I really like you”. LOL

A Cherry Blossom subscriber writes

“I am new to communicating on the web. I joined Cherry Blossoms and sent out a few intros to attractive ladies. Lo and behold, I am contacted by a young “lady?” and ease into a light hearted and easy going series of coversations.

After a couple of weeks she says she has a visa and wants to TRAVEL TO ME. Of course her mom works for Airlines ans she can tavel cheap. Will I please just help with the “Taxes” First time idiot me says OK. Then the Typhoons hit and Uncle killed so she must wail for funeral. Dad on dialysis, she run over in auto accident needs some money for meds. and last hurrah, could I send a little for her to show US customs! Me, trusting fool as she even gave me the flight itinerary LOL! Of course no show and cell# disconnected.

#2 Another “nice looking attractive but real sort of girl” Things start out great and last for a couple of weeks, then she says, I really like you, I have a couple weeks vacation and would like to TRAVEL TO ME. I need only help out with taxes!

8 out of ten ladies seem to want $ immediately or soon after first contact. Cherry Blossoms staff is generally non-responsive.”

A number of Australian buyers have been ripped off with this scam, if you try to purchases something online and told the item is out of stock and that you should deal with the supplier in the Philippines directly before very cautious.

This is what happens…
Someone in Australia (probably a Filipino) advertises item at a bargain price. When the buyer contacts them they say that they have run out of stock and the buyer should contact their supplier directly who is located in the Philippines. They also vouch for how reliable the supplier is, creating a false sense of security for the buyer.

The buyer will contact the Philippines supplier (via email), and in return receive a reply with the details of where the money should be sent for the goods (Usually a direct deposit or western union transfer). The buyer then sends the money and never hears from them again.

 This is the Filipino version of a very common type of scam:

Subject: FROM MRS LOI C ESTRADA

Dear Sir

My name is LOI C.ESTRADA,The wife of Mr. JOSEPH
ESTRADA, the former President of Philippines located
in the South East Asia.

My husband was recently impeached from office by a
backed uprising of mass demonstrators and the Senate.

My husband is presently in jail and facing trial on
charges of corruption, embezzlement, and the
mysterious charge of plunder which might lead to death sentence.
The present government is forcing my husband out of
Manila to avoid demonstration by his supporter.

During my husband’s regime as president of Philippine,

I realized some reasonable amount of money from
various deals that I successfully executed. I have
plans to invest this money for my children’s future on real
estate and industrial production. My husband is not
aware of this because I wish to do it secretly for
now.

before my husband was impeached, I secretly siphoned
the sum of $30,000,000 million USD (Thirty million United
states dollars) out of Philippines and deposited the money
with a security firm that transports valuable goods and consignments
through diplomatic means.

I am contacting you because I want you to go to the
security company and claim the money on my behalf
since I have declared that the consignment belong to
my foreign business partner. You shall also be
required to assist me in investment in your country.

I hope to trust you as a God fearing person who will
not sit on this money when you claim it, rather assist me
properly, I expect you to declare what percentage of
the total money you will take for your assistance.

When I receive your positive response I will let you
know where the security company is
and the payment pin code to claim the money which is
very important.

For now, let all our communication is by e-mail
because my line are right now connected to the
Philippines Telecommunication Network services. Please
also send me your telephone and fax number.

I will ask my son contact you to give you more details on
after i have received a responce from you.

Thank you and God bless you and family.

MRS LOI C ESTRADA

Sent by an American lured into a card game.  A good insight into how these scammers approach you and try to befriend you before getting you to join them in a friendly game of cards.

“As I was walking around looking for the place that rented bikes a really friendly clean cut Filipino greeted me like I was a long lost friend. We shook hands and he reminded me that he had given me a cab ride earlier. He asked where I was staying and I told him, he said something about picking me up there or something, whatever — I really didn’t remember him but really didn’t care either. He finished introducing himself, showing me a picture with his family and stated that he was transportation director. I believed that part because he was sharper than your average cabby and he had a manicure!? He asked me what I was looking for ..or something like that, and I told him I wanted to rent a bike. Boy did I contact the right guy!!! He could fix me up with a new one for a very reasonable price. He whistled down one of his drivers (so he led me to believe) and we drove off the main drag to someplace else. As we were riding there he was telling me all the do’s and don’ts of the city.  This guy could fix me up with beautiful college girls for 400p ect. ect. blah blah, at least it wasn’t boring. We arrive at our destination and I found it pretty strange that he had taken us to a really nice house, by Angeles city standards this place was a mansion. I asked what was up with that and he replied that everything I saw was for rent, the cars in the driveway, the house, and the villas next to it. He could rent me a villa for 10,000p a month, he said we could have a beer and he would introduce me to a couple of the college girls that were also staying here while he called someone to bring over the new bike.

The place was really nice inside, very well decorated and air conditioned, he introduced the girls gave me the ice cold beer and we were just chilling like a couple of long lost buddies. What’s this? Surprise the owner is in!? The way he was announced I assumed he was royalty or something and a rare treat to meet this man. Well turned out the guy was quite a charmer (snake charmer), well cultured Indian man, very affable. We shook as he introduced himself, according to him he owned a lot of property, clubs and whatnot in Angeles. He laughed about the college girls cooing over me and confided in me that he also loved the ladies and had a wife in Angeles as well as in Bangkok. I’m pretty comfortable about now and in no particular hurry to leave. So when he asks if I’m interested in playing a couple of friendly games of poker, because he figures I know the game and apparently by the secretive wink he gives me the cab guy don’t know how. Sure I’ll play but first I make sure what he means by friendly, he laughs and says no money. Seemed kinda pointless but, OK lets play. I win the first game of five card draw. He asks if I know the game of seven card stud? “of course”‘ my turn to shuffle, get ready to deal .

A couple of distractions latter, the girls have now left, I offer the cut, he taps and I proceed to deal, Two down one up, I’m preparing to deal all the cards, no bets remember but he stops me after the first one up card, he was showing a King, and bets 100p, I look at my cards I’m holding two Queens down under, and showing a seven, I see his 100 and raise. I deal the next two cards. He gets a Queen much to my dismay and I get some insignificant four or something — hmmm his bet, I see him with my secret pair. Next round he gets a ten and I get another seven, Hmmm two pair, not bad. I forget the next round of bets but it was definitely getting out of hand. Next two down he gets a 9, I get another Queen, I’ve got a full house. Well I only had a few hundred dollars worth of pesos on me so it was becoming obvious that this guy was just going to beat me with his bank. He was working a straight, mixed suites, I told him I would check but he wanted to raise, I showed him my empty wallet and he said I could write an IOU, He explained that he was rich and having fun and as long as I had a Visa card that I could get a cash advance from and would sign with my passport number he had no problem.

Cool I thought even though my spider senses are starting to tingle. Last card down. OK he is showing a King, Queen, ten and a nine, I’m showing a pair of sevens a Queen and a four. He is obviously trying to fill a inside strait, I already have a full boat!!!! We had about $500 each in the pot and he bets $500, I’m getting really edgy and figure he won’t loan me the rest and will win by default, much to my surprise he hands me the paper to increase my bet. I study the cards, remind myself that I dealt and shuffled the cards myself and took his bet.

Surprise Surpris Surprise!!!! His down cards were two Kings and a ten giving him the bigger boat Kings over tens. This moment is etched forever into memory it was totally surreal. The guy I was playing suddenly turns hard as I am staring gape mouthed disbelief fumbling with the cards. He claps his hands and in walks the meanest looking Flip I have ever seen! He has a pistol in his waistband and points and shouts at me ‘”YOU PAY MY BOSS!” I’m escorted out to the fancy jeepney parked out front and another Goon is waiting.

The four of us are on the way to the bank while I’m trying to figure this thing Written in a personal style by native born Filipina now living in USA, Evelyn Peplow. It tells more of social customs than other travel guides, but has few photos. Lists some Tagalog & Visicayn wordsout “then I remember.”  Between card games, all the while the cabby is talking, about one think or another non stop and the girls are also a pretty good distraction. The cabby produces a deck of cards says something to the girls in Dalog and they leave the room. He tells me that the cards like he was holding, (looked like standard wax coated Bicycle cards were hard to come by in Angeles and If I bring him a couple of decks of these cards on my next trip I could sleep with one of the girlies), the guy I was playing with wanted to see them , I passed them over, the cabby continued to converse, the guy handed the cards back to cabby and looked at me a shrugged as if to say , good deal for you. Well at that time I had no money on the table my guard was down and I just handed myself A COLD DECK.

All the while the cabby was still playing the part of my friend, giving advise like making sure that I got the IOU back and not to tell the police because gambling outside of Casinos is illegal and I would wind up in jail for sure. Well I’m sure my eyes narrowed a little when I asked, “just where do I know you from?” Well of course he acted very offended and said something in Dalog to the goons in the front seat of the jeepney they all glared at me and I decided not to take it any further. While I now knew the Cabby had set me up, he didn’t know that and at least to this point he hadn’t been openly hostile to me as his compatriots had.

I got the cash advance and walked back out to the car to pay and waited while the two goons, who had apparently staked out the other exits, all returned.  I paid, got my receipt, and got out.”