Scams in Manila

[tallcoolone 102]

1.) Taxi driver picking up another passenger while you are in the taxi and the new passenger robs you by gun point

2.) Sellling fake drugs on the streets, (Viagra, Etc)

3.) Black Market Money Changers ripping you off

4.) Taxi's not using meter

[TeddyHoney 42]

I've been going tot he Philippines for almost 20 years now, First to see my first filipina wife and her family in courting and then married her there then to vacation and visit there with our family and lately, last couple of years to visit with my current fiancee. Even though my ex is from the southern islands and m fiancee from Luzon - I have never gone anywhere alone in the Philippines. At first it was my ex's family that would never let me go anywhere alone - i was always escorted by her brother's or by her at a minimum and now it's my fiancee's family/brothers and her who never let me go anywhere alone. Someone is always with me. I have only ever left NAIA alone one time and that was my first time ever going there when I first met my first filipina wife in person. And even then I only went from International terminal to the Domestic and the same on the return.

Not to say that they couldn't get scammed, but they are not as vulnerable and don't stand out as a foreigner as I do.

Maybe for those who have not been there yet - if you can help it, never be alone when you are there especially using Taxi, etc.

I have never done currency exchanges and any place other than the department store or Airport exchanges.

I don't buy any kinds of drugs other than what has been ordered by a doctor - even in the Phils and I have had to get anti-botics and other medicines there.

[patient2010 93]

[BJZags 17]

It was my experience that the "shady" money changes in Manila/Makati were offering the best exchange rates. Not sure if it can be considered a scam if I get a good deal on my transaction.

[A and T 82]

Here is the problem I ran into with money in the philippines.

Before I had a bank account, i just had Cash from the usa. You can change it at the mall, or other official places but they are really nuts about what they accept or not. They refuse to accept $100 bills older than 2006, if the bills had any stamps, or that black marker on them (that they test back home to see if its real) they wouldn't take them, if its creased a lot they wouldn't take them.

But yet I could take the same money to the money changers on the street and convert it no problem.

So its my view that the philippines insane policies on converting money is what fuels the black market money changers. Also the rate is much better, I failed to see how it was a scam at all? Especially when no other places change your money and give you a hard time

The solution is to just get a savings account with the bank, which i did .

[tallcoolone 102]

But yet I could take the same money to the money changers on the street and convert it no problem.

So its my view that the philippines insane policies on converting money is what fuels the black market money changers. Also the rate is much better, I failed to see how it was a scam at all? Especially when no other places change your money and give you a hard time

The scam in Manila with money changers in Manila. I changed like $500 and had 23,000 pesos laying on table between me and the money changer. There was a glass seperating me and the money changer, after they laid out the pesos and counted it someone was hiding under the desk and there hand popped up and the swiped a few thousand pesos. Lucky for me my Fiance caught them in the act, We had a stand off and had the person count again and then they put up more money on the table.

We had a stand off for about 30 seconds, and some words were exchanged. If I was in Davao I would of never had to deal with this issue.

[TeddyHoney 42]

Wow! I've NEVER had any problems with money exchanges in the Philippines at the NAIA or MAll stores - even on Mindinao yesr ago in the smaller provinces where I exchanged money (rarely - but I did). No problems. As far as types and ages of bills being rejected I have never had that. The only thing i can think of is that i sually bring money that I just got from my bank from the teller cuz its usually larger amounts in larger bills cuz i know I amd going to exchange it as soon as i get to the Phils. Maybe the tellers dispense newer, cleaner and unmarked bills?? I don't know - I've neveer looked at them that close. I just make sure its the right amount. But I've never had money exchange problems.

[Eric-Pris 1,604]

I have never gone anywhere alone in the Philippines. At first it was my ex's family that would never let me go anywhere alone - i was always escorted by her brother's or by her at a minimum and now it's my fiancee's family/brothers and her who never let me go anywhere alone. Someone is always with me.

Your woman makes them take you so your eyes don't wander too much. I'm not joking either, my wife tried that sh*t with me when I wanted to go out by myself. I have friends who travel to my wife's country and we hang, so I don't need my wife's brothers as chaperones. Probably the same in your case. There are lots of women that like Americans there, she's just scared to lose you to some younger, hotter woman.

In all of these scams, you just need to be a little street smart. I'm from NYC, so I'm used to all kinds of characters trying to come up to me on the street and sell me stuff or trying to con me in some way. When I travel abroad (I travel enough, but not that much), I don't worry about those things. But if I were from a small town or somebody who travel abroad very infrequently, it would be a concern. As Americans, just about anywhere we go, we are a mark. The sc*mbags will try and separate you from your money. You just need the correct attitude to deal with it. You gotta act like you've done it before or they will eat you alive. Taxis are scammers everywhere. You gotta watch the meter, some have what I call a "tourist button", a button they press when the tourist is looking around at the sites (or women ) and the meter jumps forward. My friend had that happen in Costa Rica, but the fare jumped from 600 ($1.20) to 3000 ($6), so my friend noticed and just walked out of the taxi at a light.

I have friends who travel to the Philippines alone and never had any problems. But they are regular international travelers (more than me).

[Derbo/Yamkins 4]

Your woman makes them take you so your eyes don't wander too much. I'm not joking either, my wife tried that sh*t with me when I wanted to go out by myself. I have friends who travel to my wife's country and we hang, so I don't need my wife's brothers as chaperones. Probably the same in your case. There are lots of women that like Americans there, she's just scared to lose you to some younger, hotter woman.

I don't think so. Yes, they may feel protective of their daughters / sisters, but they escort you places for a reason other than that. Your safety.

I was instructed to send a SMS with the license plate of any taxi I might need to ride while alone in Manila. Didn't make me feel comfortable riding taxis alone at all

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

2.) Sellling fake drugs on the streets, (Viagra, Etc)

3.) Black Market Money Changers ripping you off

4.) Taxi's not using meter

2.) Never seen it in Manila, but have elsewhere, and it ain't fake. Expired, unless you know to demand fresh, but not fake.

3.) That's in ANY country.

4.) Ditto. Very common in Korea.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

1.) Taxi driver picking up another passenger while you are in the taxi and the new passenger robs you by gun point

2.) Sellling fake drugs on the streets, (Viagra, Etc)

3.) Black Market Money Changers ripping you off

4.) Taxi's not using meter

I'm surprised a "rock star" would ever have any problems in Fili. Why would any Fili ever try to scam a "Greek God"? Hmmmmm....doesn't make sense.

Could it be? Fili think you are just an ordinary target like every other?

I don't think it matters, Fili or Kano, gotta be careful and alert always. Word to the wise....if you don't do your homework before you travel to another country...you make yourself a victim even before you get there.

[ezzie 7]

I don't think it matters, Fili or Kano, gotta be careful and alert always. Word to the wise....if you don't do your homework before you travel to another country...you make yourself a victim even before you get there.

I second that. Be alert, pay attention all the time, and know what you could possibly encounter- even in first world. It's just different scams in different countries.

[tallcoolone 102]

Bottom Line

Manila Blows

Davao Rocks................................

[TripleG 3]

Never had a problem with money changers, but have heard stories. Taxi drivers ripping you off goes with the territory. 4 lefts make a circle and so do 4 rights so pay attention and if the driver is getting long in his route speak up and let him know its not acceptable, trust me he understands more english than he is letting on. Learn a little Tag or Bisaya depending on where you plan to spend most your time and it will go a long way in not getting scammed as much. As a foreigner all you can do is try to cut down on getting scammed, you will never be able to completely prevent it in my opinion.

My favorite part about landing in Manila is Flying out of Manila as soon as I can to get to Cebu.

Wyatt

[AKteacher 103]

It was my experience that the "shady" money changes in Manila/Makati were offering the best exchange rates. Not sure if it can be considered a scam if I get a good deal on my transaction.

I second that one. The money changers have the best rates. In my opinion, common sense dictates one would want to use the shops and not on the streets... and of course count the money immediately.

Probably a bigger danger are the crooked taxi drivers on the way out of NAIA. I've had a few hassles with them, and one guy I know was actually robbed and beaten. My advice (unless you crave "adventure") is to take the coupon taxi, even though they charge 2-3x the usual fare. Or take your chances with taxis in the arrival area (not recommended except for the adventurous, heck I survived but it is dangerous). Just take the coupon taxi.