The Love Scout

What to know when considering a Philippine Bride

The Philippines is a poor country and has a reputation for relationship fraud. Of course there are plenty of good, beautiful and honest women seeking marriage with foreigners. There is also an active population of scammers, fraud schemes and old fashioned gold diggers. Some women seek financial gain and lifestyle upgrades, an escape from poverty. Others are actually seeking a loving relationship, marriage and something new and exciting. How to tell this difference is the key question.

If she asks for money, put the brakes on. Beware of family or medical “emergencies” where the woman needs cash and financial support fast. Know that sending money via Western Union is likely lost in the event that she’s a scammer. Understand that the scammers are professional criminals and are very difficult to distinguish between an honest and trustworthy woman.

Educated yourself by reading about scam and fraud methods. Knowing about the different scams will help you recognize any foul play. The schemes and fraud efforts vary in strategy, but all have one thing in common, money. Money is usually requested in the form of advance fee fraud, where the criminal needs help with school, medical, rent, family, visa, etc. You can read more about the fraud types at Wikipedia’s site for relationship fraud and advance fee fraud. This is a major step in prevention.

Once you understand the fraud types and warnings signs, consider a trip to the Philippines. Get to know her and her country. See for yourself who you’re dealing with. This is a key step in not only preventing fraud, but also in establishing a meaningful relationship. Take time to get to know her. A Philippine woman in a hurry to marry is a major red flag.

Lastly, if all checks out, get a professional background check by a firm with a local presence in Manila and Cebu. Wymoo offers confidential investigations and has years of experience dealing with potential brides and relationships in the Philippines.

Best of luck, and do your homework!

A. Hathaway

How to not be a victim of Relationship Fraud

It’s no secret that the Philippines produces a good number of foreign brides each year to Western men. Many women seek a better life from the poverty and widespread problems there, others are looking for something different, the money.

There are many successful marriages and lasting relationships that come from the exportation of Philippine brides. There are an equal number of women (and men) scamming Westerners out of the hard earned cash. The Internet has made meeting these women easy, and with beautiful brides awaiting, how does one know the relationship is real? Is she who she says she is?

Most relationships today begin on the Internet, or for a few, with a business trip or vacation to the Philippines. Developing a relationship on the Internet raises the risk level considerably. The best way to avoid fraud and scams (mainly advance fee fraud) is to visit the person and see who exactly you’re dealing with. Spend some time in her country and get to know her on a real and personal level. With today’s professional fraud groups, it can be difficult to know the difference between love and scam.

Avoid sending money and be skeptical of “emergencies”. Get to know the person slowly via the Internet, and follow up with phone conversations if the relationship progresses. Be wary of requests for money. And don’t be crazy. If you’re thinking of marriage, invest in the effort to visit the Philippines before beginning any serious commitment. Lastly, if all looks good and you think you may have found the real thing, get the confidential background check by Wymoo International, and sleep well at night!

Be safe and happy hunting,

A. Hathaway

Copyright © 2005-2007 A. Hathaway