Complaint Review: online dateing

Be aware of sending money to fake travel agents. ADVISORY ON INTERNET SCAM VICTIMIZING CAUCASIAN MALES The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Guangzhou warns the public of an apparent internet scam victimizing Caucasian males with the following elements:

1. The foreigner, usually a Caucasian male, meets and befriends an alleged Filipina through a dating website.

2. The couple communicate online for several months.

3. The woman claims to be working as a private nurse, nanny or household worker in China.

4. The woman chats with the victim while using the picture of another woman, usually an attractive one.

5. The man invites the woman to travel to his country.

6. The man remits money to the woman or her alleged travel agency, for her visa and other travel expenses.

7. A specific travel agency is allegedly handling all arrangements for the woman’s travel. 8. On the day of the supposed flight, the woman claims to have suddenly met an accident and is hospitalized, or is questioned and detained by immigration authorities, for illegal stay, possession of illegal articles, or other reasons.

9. A very distressed woman or a more authoritative-sounding travel agent contacts the man to ask him to urgently remit money for assistance or to facilitate release from detention.

10.After money is sent, none of the parties can be reached anymore. In this regard, the Consulate reminds the public to be mindful of this kind of internet scam and refrain from sending money to any people met over the internet for unverified purposes as there may be no way of recovering the money. Please also be informed that official notification of arrests of Filipinos are sent by Chinese authorities to the Philippine Embassy and Consulates in China and not to Travel agency.