Manila Scams Emphasize the Importance of Learning From Others

Each day, one can read a report on an injustice committed and many go unresolved for an exceedingly long time. On the other hand, I commend outgoing President, Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on her numerous travels abroad to secure citizen’s protections, personally bringing OFW’s back to the Philippines when the circumstances seemed hopeless and highlighting this issue in the public’s consciousness, though much more needs to be done going forward.

One such report from this month details how a 55-year-old woman was arrested in an entrapment operation Friday afternoon after she allegedly duped at least eight people into paying a total of P50,000 for non-existent job as housekeepers in the United States.

Is there an offer here that is just too good to be true or seems motivated by fraudulence?

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While Scams can be blatantly obvious, they often have a concerted concealment and coordinated means to dupe the unsuspecting. I want to be clear that this is not an attempt to judge, criticize or study the many reasons for the prevalence of scams in Manila; I aim only to affirm the case that not only do they exist but they are pervasive in nature and support. After all, I have a favorable and positive impression of Manila and indeed the Philippines & I was not the one that coined the phrase “culture of corruption”.

Certainly, a discerning individual is not going to know every eventuality but having some advance knowledge is going to contribute to your experiences in Manila without placing a crippling fear inside.

It simply does not pay to be overly skeptical or too naïve, but an understanding of the complex nature of scams in Manila is something to be appreciated.

Perhaps the poverty factor helps to perpetuate the practice of scams but that does not diminish the effectiveness of them. A visitor's head can truly be left spinning and none the wiser.

What basis do I have to make this assertion?

Am I painting a practice with a broad brush as if saying the title "Sin City" defines all those living in Las Vegas, Nevada?

I could simply say that I am not in the minority and point to general examples that are known not only on the streets of Manila but in cyberspace.

In addition, what service would that do for the visitor to Manila when I can provide concrete tips and scenarios to avoid.

It might seem at first that you simply just have to avoid a few street hawkers or follow some strict engagement rules with taxi drivers to eliminate your susceptibility to a scam, but keep in mind that people are literally funneled to certain areas and almost everyone is in on the game, except you. There are even savvy foreigners who are not looking out for your best interests and who plant the bait with endorsed sponsorship through prominent tourist guides.

How is this possible you may ask? It is highly profitable and there is an ever-available turnover of victims.

At this point, you may be asking yourself, tell me what I do not already know or at least tell me something!

That is a valid thought process and manilatop10 does not claim to know everything about scams in Manila or what you could find from another source. That being said, we are in a unique position to know more than most.

Consider that if you wanted to learn the secrets of magic, you would want to learn from a magician. If you wanted poker tips, you might ask a proven winner etc. Now, since I have already said I am not scamming you, it might seem incongruous without providing some concrete examples.

For these, you can read the tricks of scam artists worldwide who are often uncovered after a lifetime of dishonest endeavors. By chance, I have met a superior scammer here in the Philippines who has not been deported and this brings some unique and exceptional insights to the table. This person is a genius and if you met him at the airport upon arrival, it would be a coin toss of a two-headed coin that he would take advantage of you rather than provide you the benefit of his knowledge.

What does this mean? As it works with cyber crime, hackers are hired to test and improve the network security of some of the best organizations in the world. Similarly, I have not only gained a certain amount of admiration for this “gentleman”, and yes, I use that term very loosely! but, he is willing to share valuable knowledge.

The bottom line, you can have some of the most incredible scams revealed here through manilatop10.

I do not condemn because it simply is what it is. Because these stories reflect an often hidden side of Manila, I have decided to put them into an Ezine-type compilation. This Ezine will be available soon and will include regular updates along with unique offerings so stay tuned!


This large segment of the population that regularly contributes a huge amount to the national gross domestic product through their remittances is particularly vulnerable. Yes, there are some new centers cropping up to facilitate the many issues facing returning OFW's and their families, but the fact that Filipinos work in almost twice as many countries around the globe as there are Philippine embassies or consulates, illustrates my point.

As mentioned above, those in positions of power that aim to facilitate fraud would have no hesitation in exploiting their own citizens. While allegations are simply that, the scope of such problems force one to reckon that many levels are involvled.

The good news is that the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) under the leadership of GMA, has recognized the pervasiveness of the issue and funded the construction of a separate facility at NAIA to counter Human Trafficking.

"The Manila International Airport Authority on Thursday started its investigation on a top airport official after he was linked to an alleged human smuggling ring at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)."

MIAA General Manager Atty. Melvin Matibag said NAIA Assistant General Manager Angel Atutubo was placed under preventive suspension for allegedly allowing 70 Filipino workers to enter the airport facility onboard 8 vehicles.

Of the 70 workers, 5 had fake documents while 1 had no documents at all. The workers were allegedly hired for overseas jobs in East Timor.

A link directly to MIAA is available on the manilatop10 airport pickup/info page.

Here ia an excerpt:

"Former textbook agent Mary Ann T. Maslog, who tried bribing officials of the Department of Budget and Management in 1999 so that her firm could wangle a P200 million textbook contract, is now Mary Ann Smith and married to an American who allegedly became her partner in crime."

Read the decade long odyssey of the distasteful frauds committed in the areas of employment and education by reading the full post

Manila Scams: Pinay in textbook scam wanted in the US for swindling, in the Fit-To-Post Blog.

Potential Scam alert, 8/25/2010, for anyone pursuing work in Guam from the Philippines. With the military build-up on Guam and many construction projects, many Filipinos are sure to find work in Guam over the next few years.

While the first rights to employment may reside with U.S. citizens, the United States has reminded potential employees that fees given to placement agencies are illegal and should not be paid. While the POEA may indeed offer services and facilitate a contract to work in Guam, please be aware that certain fees should be a glaring red flag and you should seek placement through another agency.

Fraud charges rack up against travel agent.

"She said the worst part was that she'd saved hard-earned money to give her 17-year-old cousin in the Philippines tuition money, but he had to delay his studies after money she'd promised him had to be spent getting home."

For your travel requirements, I still recommend visiting wego.com as your starting point. They offer a decent aggregator service and I'm sure it will at least offer a great comparison for your travel plans.

Once directed to the WEGO site, you can input your preferred sort & currency. In my opinion, they definitely provide a far-reaching range of options compared to some of the highly sponsored travel aggregators. Please share your feedback here & book through this affiliate partnership between WEGO and Manila-Top-10. Thanks!

The June 2010 issue of the ACS Newsletter

has a complete selection concerning scams on the internet and highlights some common scenarios.

Here is an excerpt:

"We hear about many Internet scams at the U.S. Em-bassy in Manila every year. Some common signs of an Internet financial scam:The con artist and victim met online, often through a dating or employment website, and may never have met in person."

Right-click to download this PDF file here or click through to read!.

The following news story highlights the deadly potential of scams.

It was reported by Richard Shears via the Daily Mail in the U.K.

Briton, 28, killed in Philippines by jealous boyfriend of woman he intended to marry.

Here is an excerpt:

"According to police officer Edgar Petalvero, who is in charge of the case, Mr McDonald met Miss Romero through an internet dating site chat room."

"They spent weeks conversing with each other online before she invited him to fly to the Philippines."

Note: Charlie Gall reports a few twists via the Daily Record on September 8th.

Family deny Scottish sailor stabbed to death in Manila was cheating on fiancee with online 'lover'.

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