A Brief History of Philippines/Filipina Dating/Romance Scams & Scammers

PLEASE NOTE: SCARS Institute is NOT saying that all Filipina women are scammers – far from it. Only that there is a small number who are actively involved in scamming.

A Brief History of Philippines/Filipina Dating & Romance Scams & Scammers

A History of Philippines/Filipina Online Dating Scams

Online dating scams originating from the Philippines, often involving Filipina women, have become increasingly common in recent years. These scams, typically targeting men from Western countries, have roots in the broader socio-economic and cultural landscape of the Philippines. Economic hardship, the rise of internet access, and the questionable morality associated with certain industries, such as bar-girl culture, have contributed to the development of these scams. What began as a survival tactic for many women has evolved into a more widespread method of scamming, sometimes using real identities but withholding critical information like marriage or existing relationships.

Origins: Economic Hardship and Bar-Girl Culture

The rise of online dating scams in the Philippines can be traced back to the challenging socio-economic conditions faced by many Filipinas. Poverty, limited job opportunities, and the desire for a better life have driven some women to seek financial support through relationships with foreign men. This trend is closely tied to the long-standing practice of bar girls—women working in bars, often catering to foreign tourists, and using their charm to build connections with wealthy men in hopes of financial gain.

In the post-World War II era and continuing through the rise of tourism in the 1970s and 1980s, the Philippines saw an influx of foreign men seeking relationships or companionship with local women. The bar scene in tourist-heavy areas like Angeles City and Cebu became notorious for its morally ambiguous environment. Women, often driven by economic necessity, engaged in relationships with these foreign men, hoping for long-term support or marriage. Some of these relationships were genuine, but many were transactional, with the women using charm and emotional appeal to secure financial assistance.

As the internet became more accessible in the early 2000s, this practice shifted to the digital world, giving rise to online dating scams. Bar-girls and others looking for financial support found new opportunities on dating platforms and social media to connect with men from around the world, often portraying themselves as single, innocent women in search of love.

The Role of Real Identities in Scamming

One notable aspect of Filipina dating scams is that many women use their real identities and life stories to engage with foreign men. While scammers in other parts of the world often rely on fake profiles and fabricated backstories, some Filipina women present themselves truthfully in many respects but omit important details—such as being married or already in a committed relationship.

These women may genuinely be looking for financial support but approach the situation dishonestly by misleading men about their availability or relationship status. They maintain emotional relationships with multiple men online, each thinking they are the sole object of affection. These scams can be emotionally devastating for victims, who often believe they are entering a serious relationship, only to find out later that they were being misled.

This dynamic reflects the complex moral landscape that many women in the Philippines navigate. On the one hand, they are seeking better lives for themselves and their families. On the other hand, the dishonest nature of these relationships turns them into scams that exploit the emotions and finances of their victims.

The Evolution of Filipina Romance Scams

Filipina romance scams have evolved over the years, using emotional manipulation and financial exploitation to trap foreign men. These scams typically follow a pattern:

1. Initial Contact: A foreign man is contacted by a Filipina woman on an online dating site, social media, or other platforms. The woman may present herself as single, hardworking, and seeking a loving relationship with someone from abroad. Often, the initial conversations are lighthearted and romantic, focusing on shared dreams of love and a future together.
2. Building Trust and an Emotional Connection: Over time, the scammer builds a strong emotional bond with the victim. She might share personal details about her life, such as stories about her family, her financial struggles, and her desire to improve her situation. These stories tug at the victim’s heartstrings, making him feel invested in helping her.
3. Requesting Financial Support: Once the emotional connection is established, the Filipina begins to ask for financial support. This often starts small—money for food, medicine, or school supplies for her children—and gradually increases over time. As the relationship deepens, the requests may become larger, such as asking for money for travel expenses to visit the victim or pay off debts.
4. Continued Manipulation: The scammer continues to extract money by fabricating new crises or needs. She may promise to visit the victim or express a desire to get married, but something always prevents the plans from materializing, usually requiring more money to resolve. The victim is kept on the hook for as long as possible, emotionally and financially drained, but still believing in the prospect of a real relationship.
5. Discovery and Disappearance: Eventually, some victims realize they are being scammed, either by uncovering the truth or when the woman disappears without explanation. In some cases, the scammer may reveal that she was already in a relationship or married, leaving the victim feeling betrayed and devastated.

The Dangers Even After the Bride Arrives

In some instances, the scam continues even after the woman arrives in the victim’s country. She may continue to extract money, emotionally manipulate the victim, or, in some cases, involve herself in legal disputes over property or financial assets. Some scammers are part of organized crime rings that use these relationships to gain long-term financial control over victims.

Filipina Scammers Go After Men Who Report Them

Filipina scammers and their families are known to take aggressive steps to protect their schemes, even targeting men who report them. In some cases, after being exposed, scammers will escalate the situation by hiring attorneys (usually relatives) in the victim’s country to send threatening legal notices, often claiming defamation or some such. These legal threats are designed to intimidate the victim into silence, preventing them from taking further action or warning others.

This tactic can make victims feel trapped, fearing legal consequences while already dealing with the emotional and financial fallout of the scam. These threats are part of the scammer’s broader strategy to maintain control and exploit their victims.

The purpose of the tactic is to prevent the scammers from being identified so that they might be denied visas to the United States, Canada, Europe, or other countries since some of them travel. Often their goal is to scam enough to pay for a new life in the United States or elsewhere. For example, SCARS had to stop displaying photos of Filipinas due to threats and complaints to search engines – however, SCARS does make sure that every scammer reported to AnyScam.com is communicated to the appropriate authorities.

Was It A Crime?

One of the great challenges with this type of romance scam is to prove it was a scam! Because the women are using their real names and every aspect of the relationship was in the open (except for some details, such as marriage or multiple men) the police tend to look at these crimes as not really crimes. They tend to view them as a relationship that ended badly. This makes it very difficult for male victims to feel any sense of justice.

Summary

Filipina online dating scams have evolved from the bar-girl culture of the past, driven by economic hardship and the desire for financial stability. While some women use real identities and legitimate life stories, their manipulation of foreign men—especially through the omission of their true relationship status—turns these interactions into emotionally and financially harmful scams. Understanding the patterns and dynamics of these scams is essential for protecting oneself from becoming a victim.