Load Scams Philippines: Why She Always Needs Phone Credit
That innocent ₱100 load request? It's a test. Learn how phone credit scams work in Filipina dating and when 'helping out' becomes getting played.
The Insider
Founder & Lead Editor
The lead strategist behind Filipina Dating Insider. With over a decade of firsthand experience navigating the complex dating culture of the Philippines, from the traditional "ligaw" to the modern digital landscape.
“Baby, can you send me ₱100 load? My load ran out and I want to talk to you.” Seems harmless, right? It’s less than $2. But here’s what I learned after watching this pattern destroy guys’ wallets for years: that first load request isn’t about phone credit—it’s a test to see if you’ll send money.
Key Takeaways
- Load requests are the gateway to bigger scams—it starts at ₱100, ends at ₱50,000
- Real Filipinas budget their load carefully—constant requests are a red flag
- The pattern is predictable: small load → bigger load → broken phone → emergency money
- It’s a compliance test—scammers use psychology to normalize sending money
- Legitimate reasons exist, but they’re rare and don’t follow the escalation pattern
- Set boundaries early or you’ll be the ATM in the relationship
What Is “Load” in the Philippines?
Before we get into the scam, let’s cover the basics for guys new to Filipino dating.
Load = prepaid phone credit in the Philippines. Most Filipinos use prepaid mobile plans, not monthly contracts like in the West. They buy “load” to:
- Make calls
- Send texts
- Use mobile data
You can buy load at:
- Sari-sari stores (neighborhood convenience stores)—₱10-₱500 denominations
- 7-Eleven, Mini Stop—any amount
- Online via GCash, PayMaya, or banking apps
- Load retailers—guys on street corners selling load cards
Typical costs:
- ₱100 load = ~$1.80 USD
- ₱300 load = ~$5.40 USD
- ₱500 load = ~$9 USD
For most Filipinos, ₱100-₱300 per week is normal for moderate usage. Heavy users (lots of social media, video calls) might spend ₱500-₱1,000 per week.
Context Matters: The average daily minimum wage in Manila is ₱610 ($11 USD). In the provinces, it’s ₱350-₱450 ($6-$8). So ₱100 load isn’t “nothing” to most Filipinas—it’s 2-3 hours of work.
The Load Scam Pattern: How It Escalates
This scam is psychological warfare disguised as innocent requests. Here’s how it unfolds:
Stage 1: The Innocent Ask (Week 1-2)
Her: “Baby, can you send me ₱100 load? I ran out and I want to message you more 🥺”
Your thought process:
“It’s only $2. She wants to talk to me. That’s sweet. I’ll help her out.”
What’s really happening:
She’s testing your willingness to send money and establishing a pattern. If you send it without hesitation, you’ve passed her test. You’re now a potential mark.
Stage 2: Frequency Increases (Week 3-4)
Her: “Baby, can you send ₱200 load today? I used all my load talking to you yesterday ❤️”
Your thought process:
“Well, we did talk a lot. It’s still only $4. I don’t want her to run out of load.”
What’s really happening:
She’s normalizing the requests. You’re now sending money weekly (or more). The amount is creeping up. You’re not questioning it because it’s “just load.”
Stage 3: The Upsell (Week 5-6)
Her: “Baby, instead of sending small amounts, can you just send ₱1,000? It’s easier and lasts longer. I’ll use it only for us.”
Your thought process:
“That makes sense. It’s annoying to send small amounts every few days. ₱1,000 is only $18.”
What’s really happening:
You’ve now sent ₱1,000+ total over several weeks. The psychological barrier of “big amounts” is breaking down. She’s training you to send money without thinking.
Stage 4: The Pivot (Week 7-8)
Her: “Baby, my phone broke. I can’t talk to you anymore unless I get it fixed. It costs ₱5,000. Can you help me? 😢”
OR
Her: “Baby, my mom is sick. I need ₱8,000 for the hospital. I’m so scared. You’re the only one I can ask.”
Your thought process:
“Oh no, this is serious. I’ve been sending her load for weeks, she’s been so sweet. I should help her. It’s only $90-$150.”
What’s really happening:
This was the plan all along. The load requests were never about phone credit—they were about getting you comfortable sending money so that when the BIG ask comes, you don’t hesitate.
Stage 5: The Disappearance (Week 9+)
After you send the ₱5,000-₱10,000, one of three things happens:
- She ghosts you completely
- Another “emergency” appears within days/weeks
- She strings you along with promises to pay you back (never happens)
Insider Warning: I’ve seen this exact pattern play out dozens of times. The amounts change, the timeline varies, but the psychology is identical. Once you send that first load, you’re on a path. The only question is how much you’ll lose before you wake up.
Why Load Scams Work: The Psychology
Scammers aren’t stupid. They use proven psychological tactics:
1. The Foot-in-the-Door Technique
This is a classic compliance tactic. Get someone to agree to a small request (₱100 load), and they’re more likely to agree to bigger requests later (₱5,000 emergency).
Why? Because humans want to be consistent with their past behavior. “I helped her before, so I should help her now.”
2. Reciprocity Trap
She’s giving you attention, affection, and time. You feel like you should give something back. Load requests feel like a “fair exchange” for her emotional labor.
But here’s the truth: real relationships aren’t transactional. If she’s only talking to you because you send money, that’s not a relationship—it’s a business arrangement.
3. Sunk Cost Fallacy
After you’ve sent ₱2,000 in load over a month, your brain says: “I’ve already invested this much. I can’t walk away now. I need to see this through.”
Scammers count on this. The more you send, the harder it is to quit.
4. Manufactured Urgency
“My load is almost out, baby. Send now or I can’t message you tonight.”
This creates artificial pressure to act fast without thinking. Real people don’t operate on constant urgency.
How to Spot a Load Scam vs. Legitimate Need
Not every load request is a scam. Sometimes, people genuinely run out of load. Here’s how to tell the difference:
Pros
- ✓ She mentions load casually, not as a request: 'Ugh, I need to buy load later'
- ✓ She offers alternatives: 'Can we chat on WhatsApp/Viber instead? It uses WiFi'
- ✓ She has a job/income and manages her budget—occasional shortage is believable
- ✓ She's embarrassed to ask and doesn't make it a pattern
- ✓ You've already video called multiple times and verified she's real
- ✓ She refuses when you offer: 'No, it's okay, I'll manage. Thank you though'
Cons
- ✗ Load requests start within the first 1-2 weeks of chatting
- ✗ She asks repeatedly—weekly or more often
- ✗ Amounts increase over time (₱100 → ₱300 → ₱500 → ₱1,000)
- ✗ She gets emotional or guilt-trippy when you hesitate
- ✗ She won't video call but 'needs load to talk to you'
- ✗ She has elaborate stories about why she can't afford ₱100 load
- ✗ She suggests you send 'big load' to 'make it easier'
The Real-World Test
Here’s what I do when someone asks for load:
Me: “Hey, I don’t send money to people I haven’t met yet. But I’d love to video call you tonight instead—we can chat for free on WhatsApp/Messenger. What time works?”
Legitimate response:
“Oh, that’s totally fine! I understand. Let’s video call at 8pm?”
Scammer response:
- “My camera is broken”
- “I’m too shy for video”
- “My WiFi doesn’t work for video”
- “Just send ₱100, it’s not a big deal”
- Gets defensive or guilt-trippy
If she refuses to video call but keeps asking for load, you have your answer.
The “I’ll Pay You Back” Lie
This deserves its own section because it’s so common.
Her: “Baby, I promise I’ll pay you back when I get my salary next week. I just really need load now.”
Why This Is a Red Flag
- If she can pay you back next week, she can wait until next week to buy her own load
- She’s creating artificial urgency to pressure you
- She’s establishing a lending pattern—next time it’ll be bigger amounts
- She won’t pay you back—I’ve never seen it happen
The Cultural Reality
In Filipino culture, utang (debt) is taken seriously. If a Filipina borrows money from family or close friends, she will pay it back because her reputation depends on it.
But if she’s asking you—a foreign guy she’s never met—for money with promises to repay, she’s not treating you like someone she respects. She’s treating you like a mark.
Hard Truth: If she’s asking you for ₱100 load with promises to repay, she either has zero financial discipline (red flag for relationships) or she’s scamming you (bigger red flag). Either way, it’s not a good sign.
When Load Requests Might Be Legitimate
I’m not saying every load request is a scam. Context matters.
Scenarios Where It’s Probably Fine
1. You’ve been dating seriously for months and met in person
If you’ve visited the Philippines, met her family, and you’re in a committed relationship, helping with load occasionally is normal. You’re basically partners at that point.
2. She’s a student with limited income and you’ve verified her situation
If she’s in university, you’ve video called her in her dorm, seen her student ID, and she occasionally runs short on load during exam week—that’s believable.
3. She offers to pay you back in other ways
“I can’t afford load this week, but I’ll cook for you when you visit” or “I’ll buy you a gift when I get paid”—this shows she values reciprocity, not just taking.
4. It’s truly rare—once every few months, not weekly
Everyone has tight weeks financially. If it happens once in a blue moon and she’s otherwise independent, it’s probably genuine.
The Key Difference
Legitimate need: Rare, embarrassing for her, she offers alternatives, relationship is already established
Scam: Frequent, no shame, escalates quickly, happens before you’ve even met
How to Handle Load Requests: The Right Way
Here’s my framework for dealing with load requests without being an asshole or a sucker:
Option 1: The Boundary Setter (Recommended for Early Dating)
Her: “Baby, can you send me load?”
You: “Hey, I don’t send money to people I haven’t met in person yet. It’s just a rule I have. But I’d love to video call you instead—we can chat for free on Messenger/WhatsApp. When are you free?”
This is firm but respectful. You’re not accusing her of scamming, but you’re setting a clear boundary.
Option 2: The Alternative Offer
Her: “I need load to talk to you.”
You: “Let’s use WhatsApp/Messenger/Viber instead—they work on WiFi and we can video call for free. Do you have WiFi at home or can you go to a coffee shop?”
Most Filipinos have access to WiFi somewhere (home, work, coffee shops, malls). If she refuses this option, she’s not interested in talking to you—she’s interested in money.
Option 3: The Direct Approach (For Established Relationships)
Her: “Can you send ₱500 load?”
You: “I’m happy to help, but I want to make sure I understand your situation. What’s your usual load budget per week? Is something different this week?”
This opens a real conversation about finances. If she’s genuine, she’ll explain. If she’s scamming, she’ll get defensive or vague.
Option 4: The Hard No (When You Smell Bullshit)
Her: “Send me ₱1,000 load, baby. I need it.”
You: “I’m not comfortable sending money. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, I understand.”
If she disappears after this, congratulations—you just saved yourself from a scam.
Pro Tip: The best scam prevention is setting boundaries early. If you establish from day one that you don’t send money before meeting, scammers will move on to easier targets. Real women will respect your boundary.
Red Flags That Scream “Load Scam”
Trust your gut, but also watch for these patterns:
🚩 She asks for load within the first week of chatting
You barely know each other. Why is she comfortable asking you for money already?
🚩 She won’t video call but “needs load to talk to you”
Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram—all free on WiFi. If she won’t use those, she’s hiding something.
🚩 The amount keeps increasing
₱100 → ₱300 → ₱500 → ₱1,000. This is the escalation pattern. Stop it early.
🚩 She gets emotional or guilt-trippy when you hesitate
“I thought you cared about me 😢” or “It’s only ₱100, why are you being cheap?”
Manipulation tactics. Real partners don’t guilt you into sending money.
🚩 She’s “always” running out of load
If she’s constantly out of load, she’s either:
- Talking to multiple guys (spending load on all of them)
- Terrible with money (bad sign for relationships)
- Scamming you
None of these are good.
🚩 She suggests you send “big load” to “save time”
This is the upsell. She wants you comfortable sending ₱1,000+ so the transition to “emergency money” is easier.
🚩 She has no job but expensive habits
She’s “always out of load” but posts Instagram stories from coffee shops, malls, and restaurants daily. Where’s that money coming from? Other guys.
The “Multiple Guys” Reality
Here’s something most dating guides won’t tell you: some Filipinas are talking to 5-10 foreign guys simultaneously, all sending ₱100-₱500 per week.
The Math
Let’s say she’s chatting with 8 guys:
- Guy 1 sends ₱300/week
- Guy 2 sends ₱200/week
- Guy 3 sends ₱500/week
- Guy 4 sends ₱300/week
- Guy 5 sends ₱200/week
- Guy 6 sends ₱400/week
- Guy 7 sends ₱300/week
- Guy 8 sends ₱500/week
Total per week: ₱2,700 ($48 USD)$195 USD)
Total per month: ₱10,800 (
That’s more than minimum wage in many Philippine provinces—just from load requests.
How to Spot This
- She’s always online but takes hours to reply to you
- Her stories/posts show a lifestyle that doesn’t match “I can’t afford ₱100 load”
- She’s vague about her daily schedule
- She avoids video calls (hard to juggle 8 guys if they can all see her)
Insider Reality: I’m not saying this to make you paranoid. But if you’re sending load to someone you’ve never met, you’re probably not the only one. Protect yourself.
What If You’ve Already Been Sending Load?
First, don’t beat yourself up. These scams are designed to exploit normal human kindness. Second, here’s what to do:
Step 1: Stop Sending Immediately
No more load. No exceptions. No “one last time.”
Step 2: Test the Relationship
You: “Hey, I’m not going to be able to send load anymore. But I’d still love to keep chatting and video call. Are you free tonight?”
Real response:
“Of course! I understand. Let’s video call at 8pm.”
Scammer response:
- Gets angry or guilt-trippy
- Suddenly “too busy” to chat
- Ghosts you
- Comes up with an “emergency” that needs money
Step 3: Evaluate Honestly
Ask yourself:
- Have we ever video called?
- Does she talk about anything other than needing money?
- Would she still be interested if I never sent money again?
If the answers are no, no, and no—you know what this is.
Step 4: Cut Your Losses
If she disappears or gets hostile when you stop sending money, block her and move on. Don’t try to “get your money back” or “teach her a lesson.” Just learn from it and don’t repeat the pattern.
The Cultural Context: Why Load Scams Exist
I’m not excusing scammers, but understanding why this happens helps you avoid it.
Economic Reality
- Poverty is real in the Philippines—22% of the population lives below the poverty line
- Remittances are huge—Filipinos abroad send $30+ billion home annually
- Foreign men are seen as wealthy—even if you’re middle-class in the West, you’re “rich” by Philippine standards
The “Foreigner = ATM” Stereotype
Some Filipinas (and their families) genuinely believe that foreign men should provide financially. This isn’t always scamming—it’s cultural expectation.
But here’s the thing: real Filipinas with self-respect won’t ask strangers for money. They’ll wait until there’s an actual relationship.
The Scammer Ecosystem
There are online communities where scammers share tactics:
- Which dating sites are easiest to scam on
- What stories work best
- How to escalate from load to big money
This is organized, not random.
Protect Your Identity
Scammers often share lists of “good targets” within these communities. Don’t make it easy for them to track you.
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How to Date Filipinas Without Getting Scammed
Load scams are easily avoidable if you follow basic rules:
1. Use Premium Dating Sites
Free sites (PinaLove, Filipino Cupid free tier) are flooded with scammers. Premium sites like ChristianFilipina require verification and ID checks.
2. Video Call Within 1 Week
This is non-negotiable. If she won’t video call within the first week, she’s either fake or hiding something. Move on.
3. No Money Before Meeting in Person
I don’t care how sad the story is. Zero pesos until you’ve met face-to-face. This rule alone eliminates 95% of scams.
4. Learn Filipino Culture
Understanding concepts like hiya (shame) and utang na loob (debt of gratitude) helps you spot when someone is violating cultural norms.
Real Filipinas are embarrassed to ask for money. Scammers have no shame.
5. Trust Your Gut
If something feels off, it is. Don’t ignore red flags because she’s pretty or says nice things.
Final Thoughts: It’s Just a Test
That first ₱100 load request isn’t about phone credit. It’s a test:
- Will you send money to someone you’ve never met?
- Will you do it without questioning?
- Will you do it again?
If you pass her test, you’ve failed yours.
Real relationships don’t start with money requests. They start with conversation, video calls, mutual interest, and eventually meeting in person.
If she’s asking for load before you’ve even video called, she’s not interested in you—she’s interested in your wallet.
Set boundaries. Stick to them. The right woman will respect them. The scammers will move on.
For more on staying safe, check out our guides on Common Filipina Dating Scams, Red Flags in Filipina Dating, and the infamous Sick Carabao Scam.
Stay smart out there.
FAQ
Q: Is it ever okay to send load to a Filipina I’m dating online?
A: Only after you’ve met in person and confirmed the relationship is real. Before that, it’s a red flag—either she’s scamming you or testing your boundaries. Real women won’t ask strangers for money.
Q: What if she says she’s too poor to afford ₱100 load?
A: If she can’t afford ₱100 load ($1.80), she can use free WiFi at malls, coffee shops, or home to chat on Messenger/WhatsApp. If she refuses that option and insists on load, it’s a scam.
Q: She promised to pay me back. Should I believe her?
A: No. In Filipino culture, debt to family/friends is taken seriously. But asking a foreign stranger for money with promises to repay? That’s not how real Filipinas operate. You won’t see that money again.
Q: How much load does a typical Filipina use per week?
A: ₱100-₱300 for moderate usage, ₱500-₱1,000 for heavy users. But most Filipinos supplement with WiFi at home, work, or public places. If she’s “always” running out, something’s wrong.
Q: What if I’ve already sent ₱5,000+ in load over a few weeks?
A: Stop immediately. Test the relationship by saying you can’t send anymore but want to keep chatting. If she ghosts you or gets hostile, you’ve confirmed it was a scam. Cut your losses and move on.
Q: Are all Filipinas who ask for load scammers?
A: No, but the timing and pattern matter. If she asks within the first few weeks, asks repeatedly, and won’t video call—it’s a scam. If you’ve been dating seriously for months and met in person, occasional help is normal in relationships.
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