Protecting Yourself From Romance Scams in the Philippines

Creating a Fake Profile

Scammers tend to fabricate profiles on social media or dating apps in order to establish emotional bonds with their victims. They use stolen photos of conventionally attractive individuals to make their profiles more appealing.

According to the AFP, a Filipina romance scammer frequently makes up elaborate backstories, like claiming to be from Australia or pretending to be a local woman devastated by an ex-fiancé who wanted "my money, not my love."

A fake image plus a made-up narrative is a dangerous combination that quickly elicits sympathy from their targets.

Love Bombing

Fraudsters will also attempt to deceive you into eventually giving them money by using emotive language that seems genuine.

Take note of when someone declares romantic feelings just days after you connected with each other. This strategy is referred to as "love bombing."

While it is possible to form a special connection with someone online without years of history between you, it’s still important to be on the lookout for any sudden and extravagant displays of affection.

Ask yourself what their motivation could be and if there really is any basis for the feelings they claim to have for you.

Making Financial Requests

Emotional manipulation can bypass rational thinking, and this is something scammers take advantage of.

They’ll create a false sense of intimacy by showing you too much affection, making you feel special and valuable. Ultimately, they make you more vulnerable to being emotionally blackmailed for money.

For instance, according to AFP, Filipina scammers would discreetly bring up cryptocurrency trading as a side gig before portraying it as a profitable endeavor that enabled them to amass substantial wealth. They will even claim that it’s for your future together.

The scammers would then request that you move your money from a trustworthy cryptocurrency exchange platform to their online account. If they succeed with that, they would then pressure you to make larger investments until you either catch on or have nothing left to give.

Avoiding Verification

Another major warning sign in romance scams in the Philippines, particularly those involving connections abroad, is when the other person persistently avoids verification.

Claiming shyness, bad internet connections, or technical issues, scammers usually steer clear of live video calls.

Even if you try to use a reverse image search to confirm their photos, they may get defensive or evasive. They may also assert that they don’t want their photos posted online or that they are private.

By evading verification, these scammers keep the story under control and stop you from learning the whole truth.

Isolating You from Family and Friends

This last example is a classic manipulation strategy designed to increase a scammer’s control over you and reduce your chances of discovering their crime.

This is dangerous because it impairs your judgment and makes it harder for you to spot any warning signs.

They may act possessive or jealous, for example, which would make you feel bad about hanging out with other people. To sow doubt and cause tension, they may even openly or covertly criticize your friends and family, claiming that your loved ones "don't understand" your relationship.

As a result, you end up with no one to turn to, even as you start having doubts about your relationship. Without a good support system, you become the perfect victim that they can exploit indefinitely.

Maintain Strong Relationships

Scammers often create a fantasy world to keep you away from reality. If you have good relationships with the other people in your life, they can help you stay grounded and be less susceptible to manipulation.

Strong relationships act as a safety net and are crucial in stopping fraudsters from succeeding with their dishonest methods. They can help you recover from these devastating scams or even stop them altogether by offering you emotional support and an objective point of view.

Set Clear Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries is crucial for safeguarding against manipulative people, not just in romance scams in the Philippines but also everywhere else in the world.

It creates a framework for healthy relationships and guards against exploitation. Don’t forget that you can control the pace of your relationship and the information you divulge.

When you don’t easily give in to their influence, it becomes harder for them to take money or personal information from you.

Ask for Help

Learning how to ask for help means you have a strong line of defense — people who can give you unbiased advice, consolation, and practical assistance that can stop or lessen the harm that scammers cause.

If you suspect something is wrong, consult with trusted friends, family, or professionals who can provide an objective viewpoint before you give in to the demands of someone you met online.

Report the Account

If you suspect that someone you’re talking to is a scammer, you can report their account using the platform's safety feature.

To strengthen your report when you submit it to law enforcement channels, you can also keep a copy of their messages and save their profile. By doing this, you are actively shielding the online community and yourself from these dangerous practices.