March 25, 2024

Romance scams are a multi-million dollar business

The third time that Rod (not his real name) was asked to pay up, he knew something was wrong. 

The text from the supposed Bureau of Customs representative said that he had to make another payment for duties and taxes before the care package that David had sent to him could be released.

David was an American serviceman that Rod had met on the online dating app Grindr. The months of constant messaging, calling, and promises to visit the Philippines made Rod feel like David was sincere about getting involved with him. David’s deployment to a conflict zone made it impossible for them to meet in person but he wanted to compensate for his absence by sending Rod a care package. 

Rod’s best friend was skeptical. It might be a scam, she warned him. But David had sent photos of a box all taped up and addressed to Rod, ready for shipment. He even sent a tracking number. It was legit, Rod insisted. 

Rod had made three payments totaling more than P60,000. When he was asked for a fourth payment, he had to accept that he was being scammed.

The amount was a lot more than his P18,000 monthly salary as a government employee. Rod justified it by thinking that the value of the contents – a laptop, two iPhones and other electronic gadgets, and chocolates would cover the cost of the duties and taxes. 

Rod took out a salary loan…

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