7 Common Filipina Dating Scams (And How I Spotted Them)

Key Takeaways

• The “Emergency Money” scam is the most common—sick relatives, broken phones, unpaid rent
• Never send money before meeting in person, no exceptions
• Video calls are non-negotiable—if she won’t video call, walk away
• Load requests (phone credit) are often the gateway to bigger asks
• Romance moves too fast when money is the endgame
• Real relationships exist—don’t let fear paralyze you, just stay smart

---

1. The Classic: Emergency Money Requests

This is the king of all scams. You’ve been chatting for 2-3 weeks, things are going great, she’s calling you “baby” and talking about the future. Then boom—emergency.

How It Plays Out

• Mom is in the hospital and needs surgery
• Phone broke and she can’t talk to you without a new one
• Electricity got cut off and she needs to pay the bill
• Rent is overdue and the landlord is threatening eviction
• Younger sibling’s school fees are due tomorrow

The story changes, but the ask is always the same: “Can you help me with ₱5,000?” (about $90 USD). It seems small enough to not be a big deal, right?

Why It Works

Smart scammers know psychology. They don’t ask for $5,000 on day one. They ask for amounts that feel “manageable”—$50 here, $100 there. Once you send money once, you’ve crossed a mental barrier. The asks get bigger.

Red Flags I’ve Seen

• Emergency happens within first month of chatting
• She gets emotional quickly—crying, desperate voice messages
• Specific amount requested, usually between $50-$200
• Promises to pay you back (spoiler: she won’t)
• Won’t video call to show you the “emergency”

---

2. The “Sick Carabao” Scam (Yes, Really)

This one sounds ridiculous, but it’s surprisingly common in rural areas. You’ll hear about:

• The family water buffalo (carabao) is sick and needs medicine
• The rice harvest failed and they need money for seeds
• The fishing boat broke and they can’t work without repairs

Why This Exists

In the provinces, these things ARE real issues for families. Scammers exploit this by betting you don’t know enough about Filipino rural life to question it.

How to Spot It

• Ask detailed questions: “Which veterinarian are you using? What’s the diagnosis?”
• Request receipts or photos of the sick animal or broken equipment
• Offer alternative solutions: “I’ll send money directly to the vet” (watch her backpedal)

Most scammers can’t provide proof because there’s no sick carabao. Read the full sick carabao scam breakdown.

---

3. Load Scams: Death by a Thousand Cuts

“Load” is prepaid phone credit in the Philippines. A load request seems innocent—it’s only ₱100 ($1.80). But this is often the gateway drug to bigger scams.

The Pattern

Week 1: “Baby, can you send me load? My load ran out.”
Week 2: “Can you send ₱300 load? I need to call you more.”
Week 3: “Can you just send ₱1,000? It’s easier than small amounts.”
Week 4: “My phone broke, I need ₱5,000 for a new one.”

See how that escalated?

The Reality Check

Filipinos on tight budgets manage their load carefully. If she’s constantly running out, one of two things is happening:

1. She’s talking to multiple guys (spending load on all of them)
2. She’s testing your willingness to send money

---

4. The Romance Speedrun

Real relationships take time to develop trust and feelings. Scammers don’t have time. They need to hook you fast and extract money before you wise up.

Warning Signs

• “I love you” within the first week (sometimes days)
• Talks about marriage immediately before you’ve even video called
• Overly sexual quickly—sends revealing photos unprompted
• Creates future plans (“When you come here, we’ll…”) but avoids meeting specifics
• Love bombing—constant messages, excessive compliments, dramatic declarations

What Normal Looks Like

I’ve dated Filipinas seriously. Here’s the difference:

• Filipinas with real interest will be warm but cautious early on
• They’ll ask about your family, your values, not just your income
• They’ll want to video call to see if there’s actual chemistry
• “I love you” comes after weeks/months, not days

---

5. The Fake Profile (Catfish) Scam

This isn’t unique to the Philippines, but it’s rampant on free dating sites like PinaLove.

How to Spot a Fake

• Photos look too professional—model-quality pics that don’t match casual selfies
• Only 1-2 photos on her profile
• Refuses video calls (always has an excuse—bad internet, broken camera, shy)
• Google reverse image search shows her photos on Instagram/Facebook under different names
• Grammar is too perfect or too broken—might be a dude running the scam

The Quick Test

Within the first few messages, say: “Hey, can we jump on a quick video call? I want to see if we vibe.”

If she’s real and interested, she’ll say yes (maybe not that day, but soon). If she’s a scammer, you’ll get excuses:

• “My camera doesn’t work”
• “I’m too shy”
• “Let’s chat more first”
• “My internet is too slow for video”

Call their bluff: “No problem, I’ll wait until your camera is fixed. Let me know when we can video call!”

If she keeps avoiding it after a week, move on. Learn why video calls are non-negotiable.

---

6. The Long Game: Professional Scammers

Not all scammers are desperate amateurs. Some are career criminals who play the long game—3 to 6 months of building genuine-seeming relationships before asking for money.

How They Operate

• They WILL video call—this is what makes them dangerous
• They share daily life updates—photos of food, family, work
• They’re patient—no money requests for weeks or months
• They “fall in love” gradually—it feels real because they’re good actors
• The ask is BIG when it comes—$2,000+ for a “business opportunity” or family crisis

How to Protect Yourself

Even with video calls, maintain skepticism until you’ve met in person. Specifically:

• Never send large amounts of money (over $100) before meeting
• Don’t invest in her “business ideas”
• Don’t co-sign loans or debt
• Meet her family in person if things get serious (scammers avoid this)

---

7. The Visa Scam

You’ve been dating for months, maybe you’ve even visited once. Now she wants to visit your country, but she needs money for:

• Visa application fees
• Passport renewal
• Plane tickets
• Proof of funds for the visa interview

The Scam

She takes your money for these “expenses” and either:

1. Never applies for the visa
2. Gets “denied” and keeps the money
3. Disappears once she has enough

The Real Deal

Yes, visa applications cost money. But here’s the thing: if she’s serious about visiting you, she’ll invest in it herself or you’ll pay the embassy directly, not send her cash.

---

How to Protect Yourself: The Non-Negotiables

After watching dozens of guys get scammed (and nearly getting scammed myself early on), here’s my survival guide:

1. No Money Before Meeting

I don’t care how sad the story is. Zero dollars until you’ve met face-to-face. Period.

2. Video Call Within 1 Week

If she won’t video call within the first week of chatting, unmatch and move on. This single rule eliminates 90% of scammers.

3. Use Legit Dating Sites

Free sites like PinaLove are flooded with scammers. Premium sites like ChristianFilipina and FilipinoCupid have verification systems that drastically reduce scams.

4. Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t ignore red flags because she’s pretty or says nice things.

5. Slow Down

Scammers love guys who rush. If you slow the pace, real women will stick around. Scammers will move to easier targets.

7. Protect Your Digital Footprint

While you’re worried about them scamming you, don’t forget digital security. Scammers can use your IP address to find your approximate location.

6. Learn Basic Filipino Culture

Understanding concepts like utang na loob (debt of gratitude) and family dynamics helps you spot cultural BS. Real Filipinas won’t pressure you for money—it’s actually shameful in their culture to do so.

---

Not Every Filipina Is a Scammer

Let me be crystal clear: the majority of Filipinas on dating sites are genuine. I’ve had incredible relationships here. I know dozens of expats happily married to Filipinas.

The problem is the 10-20% of scammers ruin it for everyone. They’re loud, aggressive, and target lonely guys specifically.

Green Flags of Real Women

• She has a job or education she’s proud of
• She talks about her goals and plans, not just you coming to save her
• She’s patient and doesn’t rush intimacy or commitment
• She wants to video call and meet your friends/family
• She contributes to the relationship emotionally, not just takes

---

What If You’ve Already Been Scammed?

First, don’t beat yourself up. These people are professionals at manipulation. Second, here’s what to do:

1. Cut contact immediately—block her everywhere
2. Don’t try to “get revenge”—you won’t get your money back
3. Report her profile on whatever site you met
4. Learn the lesson and move forward smarter
5. Don’t let one scammer ruin dating for you

Most importantly: don’t send more money trying to salvage the situation. The sunk cost fallacy will destroy you.

---

Final Thoughts: Stay Sharp, Stay Safe

Dating Filipinas can be one of the best experiences of your life—if you approach it with eyes open. The scammers are out there, but they’re also easy to avoid if you follow basic rules:

• No money before meeting
• Always video call
• Trust your instincts
• Use quality dating sites
• Take your time

Follow those rules, and you’ll be fine. Break them, and you’ll be another cautionary tale.

For more on staying safe, check out our guide on Red Flags in Filipina Dating and learn the cultural side in our Filipino Dating Culture article.

Stay smart out there.

---

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if a Filipina really likes me or just wants money?
A: Real interest shows through actions, not words. She’ll want to video call, meet in person, and build an actual relationship. She’ll talk about her life, her goals, and her family—not just financial problems. And she’ll never ask for money before you’ve met.

Q: Is it ever okay to send money to a Filipina I’m dating?
A: Only AFTER you’ve met in person multiple times and confirmed the relationship is real. Even then, be cautious with large amounts. Help with small, verified expenses is reasonable in a serious relationship—but never feel obligated.

Q: What if she says she’s too shy for video calls?
A: Filipinas can be shy, but that doesn’t extend to refusing video calls entirely with someone they’re interested in. Offer to do a quick call where you do most of the talking. If she still refuses after a week, it’s a scam.

Q: Are paid dating sites really safer than free ones?
A: Yes, dramatically. Sites like ChristianFilipina require video verification and ID checks. FilipinoCupid has verification badges. These aren’t perfect, but they filter out 90% of scammers who won’t invest the time or can’t pass verification.