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Philippines
34 scams
A beautiful archipelago of islands, you can find great beaches, pristine lagoons, warm and friendly locals, adventures and getaways all in Philippines.
Unfortunately, at certain tourist attractions, you need to keep your guard up against touts, criminals and some transport providers.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies: 911
Travel resources
Snatch thefts in Philippines
6 4How it works: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Jeepney/car/taxi/bus: snatching valuables through a window at traffic lights/crowded traffic. Driving: throwing eggs/liquid/some substance onto your windscreen….
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Home gambling scam in Philippines
5 2How it works: Opening: a stranger asks where you are from, then claims to have a relative going there. He invites you to his place for a meal, hoping you can…
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Ativan gang family scam in Philippines
5 1How it works: Opening: a local befriends you, and once rapport is built, invites you for a meal with his family. Set-up: you meet the family and they show really warm…
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Massage scams in Philippines
5 1How it works: Opening: at a red light distract, a ladyboy/woman offers you a massage at cheap prices. Version 1: the massage is given, but during the massage, your unattended…
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Fraudulent tour agents in Philippines
5 0How it works: Opening: unofficial “agents” (e.g. driver, street/each tout) will get you to sign up a tour with them. Version 1: you pay everything upfront and they then disappear….
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Sob story scammers in Philippines
5 4How it works: Version 1: claims to have been robbed and needs money for transport to the police station or embassy. Version 2: a mom claiming that she needs cash…
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Kawasan Falls scams in Philippines
4 0How it works: Scam 1: fake parking attendants will ask you for a parking fee of 50 pesos. Scam 2: an unofficial guide or fake police officer insists that you…
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Would you like a drink bar scam in Philippines
4 0How it works: Opening: a friendly local befriends you and offers to bring you to a bar full of beautiful ladies. Version 1: there, ladies order expensive drinks on your…
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Taxi scams in Philippines
3 6How it works: Version 1: claim that the meter is spoilt and so charge an inflated flat fare, or forgetting to turn on the meter. Version 2: rigged meter (batingting)…
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Unofficial guides in Philippines
2 0How it works: At tourist attractions, unofficial guides will claim that it is compulsory to get a guide. There are good ones but in general, they are not worth it…
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Bump and drop scam in Philippines
2 0How it works: A scammer carrying a spoilt item stops suddenly, causing you to bang into him. He drops the spoilt item, accuses you of damaging it and then demands…
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Romance scam in Philippines
2 2How it works: Version 1: you meet someone offline whom you build a relationship over time. As the relationship gets stronger (with visits to family members included), money will be…
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Money changer scams in Philippines
2 0How it works: Opening: money changers at secluded areas put a sign or hire a tout on the main road to advertise good exchange rates. Version 1: they provide many…
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Unlicensed taxis in Philippines
2 1How it works: If you are lucky, you only have to pay an inflated flat fare. If you are unlucky, you may be driven somewhere secluded and be robbed or…
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SIM card deceptive advertising in Philippines
2 0How it works: Situation: this is a deceptive advertising trick by SIM card retailers at the Puerto Princesa International Airport. It was kindly shared with the site by Roxanne at…
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