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Posted

1.) Taxi driver picking up another passenger while you are in the taxi and the new passenger robs you by gun point

2.) Sellling fake drugs on the streets, (Viagra, Etc)

3.) Black Market Money Changers ripping you off

4.) Taxi's not using meter

youregonnalovemynutsf.jpg

"He always start the fire here in VJ thread and I believe all people will agree with me about it"

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

I've been going tot he Philippines for almost 20 years now, First to see my first filipina wife and her family in courting and then married her there then to vacation and visit there with our family and lately, last couple of years to visit with my current fiancee. Even though my ex is from the southern islands and m fiancee from Luzon - I have never gone anywhere alone in the Philippines. At first it was my ex's family that would never let me go anywhere alone - i was always escorted by her brother's or by her at a minimum and now it's my fiancee's family/brothers and her who never let me go anywhere alone. Someone is always with me. I have only ever left NAIA alone one time and that was my first time ever going there when I first met my first filipina wife in person. And even then I only went from International terminal to the Domestic and the same on the return.

Not to say that they couldn't get scammed, but they are not as vulnerable and don't stand out as a foreigner as I do.

Maybe for those who have not been there yet - if you can help it, never be alone when you are there especially using Taxi, etc.

I have never done currency exchanges and any place other than the department store or Airport exchanges.

I don't buy any kinds of drugs other than what has been ordered by a doctor - even in the Phils and I have had to get anti-botics and other medicines there.

10/17/2008 - First Contact via message in CB

03/15/2009 - Engaged

05/15/2009 - First meeting in person (I traveled to Philippines)

10/05/2010 - Sent I-129F package to Fiancee VISA service for review and forwarding

12/08/2011 - Interview - Approved!

12/20/2011 - VISA in hand! (Never showed up in 2go online tracking!)

01/04/2012 - POE San Francisco(SFO)I met her there.

01/05/2012 - We're Home!

02/14/2012 - Married Valentine's Day 2012!

05/04/2012 - Mailed AOS/EAD/AP packages via FedEx ground

07/26/2012 - EAD/AP Combo card received

"TeddyHoney and SqueezyBear"

(Derrick and Ritchie)

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
Timeline
Posted
:wow:

November 5, 2010 Interview 7am APPROVED!!!!!! (6months 4weeks 1day) THANK YOU LORD!!!!!

(look at my about me page in my profile if you want to see my entire k1 journey)

AOS Journey:

Feb.4, 2011 Mailed AOS packet

Feb. 7, 2011 Pkt delivered in Chicago

Feb. 10, 2011 Received txt and email of NOA for AOS, EAD, and AP

Feb. 11, 2011 Check cashed for AOS

Feb. 12, 2011 Touched

Feb. 14, 2011 received hard copy of NOA for AOS, EAD& AP

Feb. 18, 2011 received appt letter for biometrics

Feb. 28, 2011 biometrics appt @10am

Feb. 28, 2011 received txt/email AOS case transferred to csc

Mar 1, 2011 AOS Touched

Mar 3, 2011 received hard copy of AOS transfer to csc

Mar 4, 2011 AOS Touched

Mar 28, 2011 Received txt/email saying card production has been ordered. (1month 3eeks 3days)

Mar 28, 2011 Received 2nd txt/email saying we have registered this customer permanent residence status

Mar 29, 2011 Received 3rd txt/email says card production has been ordered.

April 1, 2011 greencard and welcome letter in hand!!

April 5, 2011 received txt/email EAD card production ordered

Will Start Removing Conditions Dec 2012!!!!

Dec. 26, 2012 mailed ROC paperwork

Dec. 28, 2012 NOA for ROC paperwork

Jan. 7, 2013 received bio appt letter

Jan. 24, 2013 bio appt.

June 22, 2013 10yr green card received

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Posted

It was my experience that the "shady" money changes in Manila/Makati were offering the best exchange rates. Not sure if it can be considered a scam if I get a good deal on my transaction.

my blog: http://immigrationlawreformblog.blogspot.com/

"It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

-- Charles M. Province

Posted

Here is the problem I ran into with money in the philippines.

Before I had a bank account, i just had Cash from the usa. You can change it at the mall, or other official places but they are really nuts about what they accept or not. They refuse to accept $100 bills older than 2006, if the bills had any stamps, or that black marker on them (that they test back home to see if its real) they wouldn't take them, if its creased a lot they wouldn't take them.

But yet I could take the same money to the money changers on the street and convert it no problem.

So its my view that the philippines insane policies on converting money is what fuels the black market money changers. Also the rate is much better, I failed to see how it was a scam at all? Especially when no other places change your money and give you a hard time

The solution is to just get a savings account with the bank, which i did .

07-24-2009 Received NOA1
08-05-2009 Touched
10-02-2009 I-797C for Biometrics Appt
10-26-2009 Biometrics Appt. Completed
05-11-2010 Request for Evidence on both the I129F and I130
07-01-2010 Case Transferred to Vermont Service Center
10-20-2011 Contacted Ombudsman
02-07-2012 Case denied after almost 3 years =(
03-07-2012 Appeal Filed!
01-20-2013 Contacted Ombudsman again...

06-25-2013 EOIR Appeal Review

Visit my blog at http://goo.gl/ON4wG/

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Posted

But yet I could take the same money to the money changers on the street and convert it no problem.

So its my view that the philippines insane policies on converting money is what fuels the black market money changers. Also the rate is much better, I failed to see how it was a scam at all? Especially when no other places change your money and give you a hard time

The scam in Manila with money changers in Manila. I changed like $500 and had 23,000 pesos laying on table between me and the money changer. There was a glass seperating me and the money changer, after they laid out the pesos and counted it someone was hiding under the desk and there hand popped up and the swiped a few thousand pesos. Lucky for me my Fiance caught them in the act, We had a stand off and had the person count again and then they put up more money on the table.

We had a stand off for about 30 seconds, and some words were exchanged. If I was in Davao I would of never had to deal with this issue.

youregonnalovemynutsf.jpg

"He always start the fire here in VJ thread and I believe all people will agree with me about it"

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

Wow! I've NEVER had any problems with money exchanges in the Philippines at the NAIA or MAll stores - even on Mindinao yesr ago in the smaller provinces where I exchanged money (rarely - but I did). No problems. As far as types and ages of bills being rejected I have never had that. The only thing i can think of is that i sually bring money that I just got from my bank from the teller cuz its usually larger amounts in larger bills cuz i know I amd going to exchange it as soon as i get to the Phils. Maybe the tellers dispense newer, cleaner and unmarked bills?? I don't know - I've neveer looked at them that close. I just make sure its the right amount. But I've never had money exchange problems.

10/17/2008 - First Contact via message in CB

03/15/2009 - Engaged

05/15/2009 - First meeting in person (I traveled to Philippines)

10/05/2010 - Sent I-129F package to Fiancee VISA service for review and forwarding

12/08/2011 - Interview - Approved!

12/20/2011 - VISA in hand! (Never showed up in 2go online tracking!)

01/04/2012 - POE San Francisco(SFO)I met her there.

01/05/2012 - We're Home!

02/14/2012 - Married Valentine's Day 2012!

05/04/2012 - Mailed AOS/EAD/AP packages via FedEx ground

07/26/2012 - EAD/AP Combo card received

"TeddyHoney and SqueezyBear"

(Derrick and Ritchie)

Posted

I have never gone anywhere alone in the Philippines. At first it was my ex's family that would never let me go anywhere alone - i was always escorted by her brother's or by her at a minimum and now it's my fiancee's family/brothers and her who never let me go anywhere alone. Someone is always with me.

Your woman makes them take you so your eyes don't wander too much. I'm not joking either, my wife tried that sh*t with me when I wanted to go out by myself. I have friends who travel to my wife's country and we hang, so I don't need my wife's brothers as chaperones. Probably the same in your case. There are lots of women that like Americans there, she's just scared to lose you to some younger, hotter woman.

In all of these scams, you just need to be a little street smart. I'm from NYC, so I'm used to all kinds of characters trying to come up to me on the street and sell me stuff or trying to con me in some way. When I travel abroad (I travel enough, but not that much), I don't worry about those things. But if I were from a small town or somebody who travel abroad very infrequently, it would be a concern. As Americans, just about anywhere we go, we are a mark. The sc*mbags will try and separate you from your money. You just need the correct attitude to deal with it. You gotta act like you've done it before or they will eat you alive. Taxis are scammers everywhere. You gotta watch the meter, some have what I call a "tourist button", a button they press when the tourist is looking around at the sites (or women :wacko: ) and the meter jumps forward. :angry: My friend had that happen in Costa Rica, but the fare jumped from 600 ($1.20) to 3000 ($6), so my friend noticed and just walked out of the taxi at a light.

I have friends who travel to the Philippines alone and never had any problems. But they are regular international travelers (more than me).

Posted

Your woman makes them take you so your eyes don't wander too much. I'm not joking either, my wife tried that sh*t with me when I wanted to go out by myself. I have friends who travel to my wife's country and we hang, so I don't need my wife's brothers as chaperones. Probably the same in your case. There are lots of women that like Americans there, she's just scared to lose you to some younger, hotter woman.

I don't think so. Yes, they may feel protective of their daughters / sisters, but they escort you places for a reason other than that. Your safety.

I was instructed to send a SMS with the license plate of any taxi I might need to ride while alone in Manila. Didn't make me feel comfortable riding taxis alone at all :o

Posted

2.) Sellling fake drugs on the streets, (Viagra, Etc)

3.) Black Market Money Changers ripping you off

4.) Taxi's not using meter

2.) Never seen it in Manila, but have elsewhere, and it ain't fake. Expired, unless you know to demand fresh, but not fake.

3.) That's in ANY country.

4.) Ditto. Very common in Korea.

Posted

1.) Taxi driver picking up another passenger while you are in the taxi and the new passenger robs you by gun point

2.) Sellling fake drugs on the streets, (Viagra, Etc)

3.) Black Market Money Changers ripping you off

4.) Taxi's not using meter

I'm surprised a "rock star" would ever have any problems in Fili. Why would any Fili ever try to scam a "Greek God"? Hmmmmm....doesn't make sense. :unsure:

Could it be? Fili think you are just an ordinary target like every other? :blink:

I don't think it matters, Fili or Kano, gotta be careful and alert always. Word to the wise....if you don't do your homework before you travel to another country...you make yourself a victim even before you get there.

Immigration Timeline Summary

10.21.2008 – CR-1 Visa Application Filed (By Hubby's Sec)
09.04.2009 – Visa Interview | Passed
09.10.2009 – Visa Packet Received
09.17.2009 – US Entry | Home
07.05.2011 – ROC Petition Filed
05.01.2012 – ROC Approved (No Interview)
05.18.2012 – 10-year GC Received
06.19.2012 – Eligible to apply for Naturalization
(procrastinated)
06.24.2013 – N-400 Application Filed
09.30.2013 – Civics Test / Interview | Passed
10.03.2013 – Oath Taking Ceremony | Became a USCitizen!
04.14.2014 – Applied for "Expedite Service" Passport (as PI travel date was fast approaching)
04.16.2014 – Passport Issued & Shipped
04.17.2014 – US Passport Received

Our timeline vanished into thin air.

I've contacted the admin several times but I got zero response.

https://meiscookery.wordpress.com

Filed: IR-2 Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

I don't think it matters, Fili or Kano, gotta be careful and alert always. Word to the wise....if you don't do your homework before you travel to another country...you make yourself a victim even before you get there.

I second that. Be alert, pay attention all the time, and know what you could possibly encounter- even in first world. It's just different scams in different countries.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

Never had a problem with money changers, but have heard stories. Taxi drivers ripping you off goes with the territory. 4 lefts make a circle and so do 4 rights so pay attention and if the driver is getting long in his route speak up and let him know its not acceptable, trust me he understands more english than he is letting on. Learn a little Tag or Bisaya depending on where you plan to spend most your time and it will go a long way in not getting scammed as much. As a foreigner all you can do is try to cut down on getting scammed, you will never be able to completely prevent it in my opinion.

My favorite part about landing in Manila is Flying out of Manila as soon as I can to get to Cebu.

Wyatt

"The Brazos still runs muddy like she's run all along, there ain't never been no cane to grind, the cottons all but gone." R.E.K



Filed I-129F petition on Oct. 27th 2008
NOA1 Nov. 2008
NOA2 March 27th 2009
VSC sent notice that petition forwared to Manila on April 10th
Letter Finally recieved April 24th
June 10th interview date
Passed medical on May 26th (But, not allowed to get vaccinations)
June 10th Pink slip recieved (Yeee-hawww!!!) Consul interview lasted 5 min.
CFO- Completed in Cebu
POE-(LAX, Flew into together on July 17th, took only 5 min.)
Married August 11th (Now the AOS journey begins)

AOS
Recieved Packet Oct. 6th
Recieved NOA AOS, EAD, AP Oct. 17th.
Recieved Biometrics Appointment letter Oct. 23rd
Biometrics Appointment Nov. 2nd.
Advanced Parole approved Nov. 23rd
EAD Work Authorization received Dec. 6th
Permanent Resident Card and Welcome letter received Dec. 15th

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

It was my experience that the "shady" money changes in Manila/Makati were offering the best exchange rates. Not sure if it can be considered a scam if I get a good deal on my transaction.

I second that one. The money changers have the best rates. In my opinion, common sense dictates one would want to use the shops and not on the streets... and of course count the money immediately.

Probably a bigger danger are the crooked taxi drivers on the way out of NAIA. I've had a few hassles with them, and one guy I know was actually robbed and beaten. My advice (unless you crave "adventure") is to take the coupon taxi, even though they charge 2-3x the usual fare. Or take your chances with taxis in the arrival area (not recommended except for the adventurous, heck I survived but it is dangerous). Just take the coupon taxi.

Service Center: California Service Center

Consulate: Manila, Philippines

2010-03-02 I-129F Sent

2010-03-08 NOA1

2010-03-09 Check Cashed

2010-03-10 Case "touched"

2010-04-13 Case "touched"

2010-04-15 NOA2

2010-04-21 NVC Received

2010-06-01 K-1 Interview at US Embassy Manila

2010-06-08 Visa Issued

2010-07-08 POE: San Francisco, CA

2010-07-31 Married

2010-09-24 Sent AOS Package (I-185, I-765)

2010-09-27 AOS Package Received at Chicago Lockbox

2010-10-04 NOA (Notice of Receipt) date for I-485 & I-765

2010-10-07 Touch

2010-12-22 Biometrics

2010-12-22 I-485 Interview at Anchorage, AK

2010-12-27 2-yr Green Card Issued

2011-01-10 Green Card Received

2011-05-19 Vacation to Philippines

2011-07-02 Return from Philippines to US

 
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