Beware of Filipino scammers in Phnom Penh
- nightmare.believer
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Apologies if this has been addressed/answered in the thread: why do the the flipper scammers only target tourists?
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Because naive tourists want to spend time with a local family playing games etc. Makes them feel special.nightmare.believer wrote:Apologies if this has been addressed/answered in the thread: why do the the flipper scammers only target tourists?
And it's likely that anyone who's been here more than 18 hours has heard about their scam.Gin&Tonic wrote:Because naive tourists want to spend time with a local family playing games etc. Makes them feel special.nightmare.believer wrote:Apologies if this has been addressed/answered in the thread: why do the the flipper scammers only target tourists?
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- Making Khmer girls cry since 2003
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10:30 a.m. today. I'm walking along Monivong wearing a hat and red shirt. I am approached by a 60-ish year old wrinkled dude who I first assumed was Khmer. He didn't seem to speak English as smoothly as most Filipinos. He greets me and says "Nice to see you again" and is all Mr. Friendly.
He offers no compliments on my attire. He asks how long I have been in town. I tell him one day, his eyes light up. Fresh meat. He asks what country I'm from but doesn't ask the city, he just asks if I know San Jose because his little sister (who would have to be 40+) is moving to San Jose to become a nurse.
He is working with a skinny 50-ish year old Filipina with long gray and black hair who was holding a LeoPalace folder. He invites me to sit down with them because he wants to talk to me, of course I do. All the while, there's a younger Filipino or Khmer guy watching us with a scowl on his face, I can't tell if he's in on the scam or if he's a Khmer who doesn't like that they have roped me in to sitting down.
We sit down, I introduce myself as Tommy from Billings, Montana. The old guy fumbles through the routine about his sister being afraid to go to San Jose and asking if I can help her. I tell him I don't know much about nursing or San Jose, because it's a long way from Billings. He asks if I will give advice to his sister about how to dress, I tell him I don't know that much about nursing outfits. He persists that he wants me to give advice to his sister, I say "Oh, do you want me to email her?"
At that point, the frustrated skinny lady says in perfect nasally Filipina English, "No, you can meet her." I'm sensing she's the brains behind the operation.
I tell them that I really can't advise a nurse, because I work in law enforcement for the FBI. This doesn't really phase them though. I ask where he's from, he says Manila. I then ask if he's seen any Filipino scammers around town, the ones who approach Westerners and try to lure them to their houses and rope them into crooked card games. He says no.
I ask if he's just a different non-scamming Filipino guy approaching Westerners on the street and trying to get them to go to his home to meet his nurse sister, and he confirms this. I said that's good because the scammers are a disgrace to the Philippines, and wouldn't he agree with that. The woman then chimes in that she hasn't heard about such scammers operating in Phnom Penh, she thought the card scammers were working in Saigon.
I took the guy's photo and we parted ways amicably. Next time I'm going to get video or something.
He offers no compliments on my attire. He asks how long I have been in town. I tell him one day, his eyes light up. Fresh meat. He asks what country I'm from but doesn't ask the city, he just asks if I know San Jose because his little sister (who would have to be 40+) is moving to San Jose to become a nurse.
He is working with a skinny 50-ish year old Filipina with long gray and black hair who was holding a LeoPalace folder. He invites me to sit down with them because he wants to talk to me, of course I do. All the while, there's a younger Filipino or Khmer guy watching us with a scowl on his face, I can't tell if he's in on the scam or if he's a Khmer who doesn't like that they have roped me in to sitting down.
We sit down, I introduce myself as Tommy from Billings, Montana. The old guy fumbles through the routine about his sister being afraid to go to San Jose and asking if I can help her. I tell him I don't know much about nursing or San Jose, because it's a long way from Billings. He asks if I will give advice to his sister about how to dress, I tell him I don't know that much about nursing outfits. He persists that he wants me to give advice to his sister, I say "Oh, do you want me to email her?"
At that point, the frustrated skinny lady says in perfect nasally Filipina English, "No, you can meet her." I'm sensing she's the brains behind the operation.
I tell them that I really can't advise a nurse, because I work in law enforcement for the FBI. This doesn't really phase them though. I ask where he's from, he says Manila. I then ask if he's seen any Filipino scammers around town, the ones who approach Westerners and try to lure them to their houses and rope them into crooked card games. He says no.
I ask if he's just a different non-scamming Filipino guy approaching Westerners on the street and trying to get them to go to his home to meet his nurse sister, and he confirms this. I said that's good because the scammers are a disgrace to the Philippines, and wouldn't he agree with that. The woman then chimes in that she hasn't heard about such scammers operating in Phnom Penh, she thought the card scammers were working in Saigon.
I took the guy's photo and we parted ways amicably. Next time I'm going to get video or something.
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Perhaps the latter. The Khmers around these guys often know that they are scammers because the watch the Filipinos work it all day, and some are quite disturbed and angry about it, especially tuk-tuk drivers who see these guys as driving away business. I've talked to a few about it over the years. Most also seem very reluctant to confront or even make a stink about it in front if the scammers, but will happily talk about it when their back is turned. Not sure the reason for that dynamic, but I think they think the scammers are protected and potentially dangerous for this reason.gavinmac wrote:All the while, there's a younger Filipino or Khmer guy watching us with a scowl on his face, I can't tell if he's in on the scam or if he's a Khmer who doesn't like that they have roped me in to sitting down.
I don't think there can be any doubt that they are protected. They regularly work that park area near Independent Monument in full view of the idling cops close by.
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Well, what's the solution then? Surely we're all smart enough to figure out how to resolve this. There has to be more we can do then wait to get approached and then troll them with stupid questions and take their photos.
I've never heard about any of these card scammers being violent towards anyone. I think they know it undermines their ability to operate if they do so. I've considered and mentioned the possibility of saying "Oh sure, I'll go with you, I just need to cancel plans with my friend, can I borrow your phone?" Then when they hand me the phone just smash it on the ground in front of the guy and walk off. These old dudes won't do anything.
Alternatively, accept their offer and ride to their house and then identify the address and then, well, I haven't thought through the rest of that plan. I'm convinced though they can't/won't get violent. Somewhat convinced.
I've never heard about any of these card scammers being violent towards anyone. I think they know it undermines their ability to operate if they do so. I've considered and mentioned the possibility of saying "Oh sure, I'll go with you, I just need to cancel plans with my friend, can I borrow your phone?" Then when they hand me the phone just smash it on the ground in front of the guy and walk off. These old dudes won't do anything.
Alternatively, accept their offer and ride to their house and then identify the address and then, well, I haven't thought through the rest of that plan. I'm convinced though they can't/won't get violent. Somewhat convinced.
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I was walking on Monivong last month and some older bloke called out to me from a bike on the street, asking where I had bought my glasses. Although, I did follow this thread over some time, I didn't even make the connection. It was only when it was over that I thought how ridiculous and scammy the question was.
However, it didn't work with me, as I bought my glasses in PP. If you never give them their cue - the country you were born in - their script won't work. He repeated "so, you live here" and the conversation was over rather fast after that. It seems they are more careful if they believe you are not "fresh off the boat tourist meat".
There 's no fucking way, I'd get on a stranger's motorbike for the reason they use anyway.
However, it didn't work with me, as I bought my glasses in PP. If you never give them their cue - the country you were born in - their script won't work. He repeated "so, you live here" and the conversation was over rather fast after that. It seems they are more careful if they believe you are not "fresh off the boat tourist meat".
There 's no fucking way, I'd get on a stranger's motorbike for the reason they use anyway.
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- No Joke Howard is my Hero
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Put it into practice then. The address of their base has already been posted. Head over there and do your stuff.gavinmac wrote:
Alternatively, accept their offer and ride to their house and then identify the address and then, well, I haven't thought through the rest of that plan. I'm convinced though they can't/won't get violent. Somewhat convinced.
I know I'm unloveable. You don't have to tell me. I don't have much in my life, but take it - it's yours.
Been there done that.
No, they do not get physical but they do enjoy flashing their guns in an attempt to scare.
I don't think they are the smartest scammers on the planet. I finished "playing cards" with these dumb monkeys owing them something silly like $20k.
I didn't take one cent in my pocket to this morning of pure entertainment, didn't even take my wallet along.
They did accept my Australian Government issued $2 safety sunglasses as full payment.
They even drove me back to my hotel after the fun and laughter had ended.
No hard feelings.
and thanks for the food and grog.. cheers.
No, they do not get physical but they do enjoy flashing their guns in an attempt to scare.
I don't think they are the smartest scammers on the planet. I finished "playing cards" with these dumb monkeys owing them something silly like $20k.
I didn't take one cent in my pocket to this morning of pure entertainment, didn't even take my wallet along.
They did accept my Australian Government issued $2 safety sunglasses as full payment.
They even drove me back to my hotel after the fun and laughter had ended.
No hard feelings.
and thanks for the food and grog.. cheers.
Last edited by bigphatt on Tue Aug 11, 2015 4:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
My Three Mothers Tell Me I'm An Attention Whore.. I Love My Mums
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You made all that up, didn't you?
I know I'm unloveable. You don't have to tell me. I don't have much in my life, but take it - it's yours.
hey, hey, hey... settle down.This Charming Man wrote:You made all that up, didn't you?
did i mention the Brunei Prince who came waltzing into the room with a suitcase full of cash that he was simply dying to play with..
I sometimes wonder if those rocks on his fingers where real diamonds or not... hmmmmmmmmm
My Three Mothers Tell Me I'm An Attention Whore.. I Love My Mums
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