I'm getting ripped, aren't I?

Question

I met this girl online about 6 or 7 years ago from the Philippines online. We talk alot, via phone, IM, txting, etc. She's sent me cards for holidays, so you can say we're really close. We were friends up to about a year ago and then had feelings. Anyway, she kept asking me to go there to visit her but didn't have enough money to do so, so I asked her if there was anyway she could come here, she said she would try. In process of trying, she lost her job, and begin to have trouble keeping up with the money. She never asked me for money, but I eventually offered feeling sorry for her, which she refused. A few months past and her situation got even worse, so I insisted to send money, and she refused a few tims and then eventually accepted. So I wired $200 to her, which she used to go to Manila and seek her old job back. She eventually found a promo deal with a travel agency to get a ticket here for $500.

I offered to pay the $500 with my credit card but she said they only accept cash, so she borrowed from a friend and paid it. The part I don't understand is...she said she went and got the ticket, and also a tourist VISA, on the same day? And the plane leaves Oct. 15. Don't you need to apply for the Visa 3 mths before hand? And have an interview with the embassy? On top of that it's hard to get I hear, and she doesn't have a bank account, though her family is "wealthy"..as the story goes. Do you think I'm being ripped? 7 years is a long time to wait to start to rip me if that's the case. Idk what to think...

Yeah it's very hard to tell. She even has given me her Yahoo and MySpace passwords. I've never given her mine though ;) I just don't understand the Visa part, I mean, I guess you could get one that fast however I don't see it being very likely. Frustrating.

Well, I talked to her and she said she had gotten the tourist visa a few months back, and she talked about how she got it and it all added up to how it's suppose to be done. She bought a one-way, not round trip ticket, she said. As for how it's that cheap, not sure, she said it was a promotion the travel agency had. *shrugs*

Answer 1

You might be surprised when she actually shows up... If she were trying to rip you off, it would have happened a long time ago. Her trip to see you may pay off. Good luck.....

Answer 2

First, the odds of a single filipina that is not weathy with a considerable bank account and/or having very strong ties to the Philippines, IE, business, home, etc. receiving a tourist visa are almost nil in this day and age.

Second, she will not be allowed to board the plane with a tourist visa if she has only a one way ticket. ANY travel agent would tell her this when inquiring about a one way ticket..

Third, it is very unlikely that she could find a one way ticket for $500, the cheapest I have heard of lately seem to be in the $650-$700 range.

IN short summation, yes, you are being scammed.

7 years? Come now. My income in the US was less than $12,000 some years and still I found a way to get to the RP. If you can afford to send her $200 and then $500 you are half way there. I had several two week trips in which I spent well under $1500 total.

Answer 3

there is a high probability that she's just after your money. However, that remains to be seen until 15 Oct.,

What you should have done is bought her a non-refundable pre-paid ticket once get has the visa. But before buying the ticket, ask her to photocopy her passposrt details and visa, have it verified at the US embassy.

Life is just so difficult back home that some people do a lot of tricks to get money from foreigners.

But I also think that she would be very stupid to do that to you. If ever she is smart enough to think that there is an opportunity for her to get out of the country and have a better life somewhere else then see how you really feel towards each other.

good luck and let me know the outcome, I'm quite intrigue!

Answer 4

Maybe,

I just posted a question on the same topic. What I can tell you is that the process is difficult and you have to be squeaky cl;ean to get a tourist visa to come here. She says you have to have $2500 in a bank account - that is the new part to me and I am questioning that. I do know that you get only 2 interbviews at the immigration office there - close together and iof you fail to meet the requiirements by the second visit you are out of luck. Finally, they insist on a round trip ticket so I am told. One way tickets are often MORE expensive than round trip and she would have to come back unless her status changed while she was here. I've decided that I am going to go there. $1100 round trip. Hope this helps

Answer 5

she might already have a tourist visa on hand. some people do. before 9/11, US gaves tourist visa to Filipinos good for 10 years. She might really just need the money for the ticket.

but what i'm confused about is why she only need $500 for the ticket? she needs 2 way ticket especially on tourist visas and it cost more than that. i paid more than that for a one way ticket in the philippines, and that's 5 years ago. i don't know how much now though.

i guess just cross your finger and hope she's telling the truth. good luck!

Answer 6

There are several reasons to be suspicious. The biggest is that she bought a one-way ticket. If that is true don't bother going to the airport because she is not getting into the country. A tourist visa requires a return ticket in order to enter the country.

Just because she refused money before does not mean she isn't looking for a big score. It just seems strange that she suddenly lost her job as soon as you had "feelings" for one another. Wait to see if she shows up in October. If she's hot have fun, if not then run.

Answer 7

I would say no. It is almost impossible for an average Philippino to get a tourist visa. I tried to get a tourist visa for my wifes sister. She owned a farm and a house. I wired $ 6000.00 to her bank account to make it look like she was richer. Her sister was having a baby, so a reason for the visit. Her sister was turned down for the visa. No reason was given. Her sister did wire me back the $ 6000.00 Her family would need to be rich, equivalent to a well established doctor here.

A $500.00 ticket is very cheap. My tickets ranged from $ 900 to $ 1600. Unknown what are the current prices.

$ 200.00 is not much to risk on romance. You can easily spend that on a couple dates, or maybe one date.

If you are interested in her try to get together. Also if you get more serious, a fiance visa, is another challenge. Chec the American Embassy in Manila web site for details.

Answer 8

It sounds like a perfect rip off to me. First of all, it is so difficult to obtain a US visa from what I heard. How did she manage to pay for the fees and apply without a job? If she says she comes from a wealthy family, then $ should not even be an issue. $500 does not buy a ticket to the US; a one way ticket is more expensive. Think about this very carefully.

Answer 9

everything sounded fine up to the tourist visa part. in order for a philipino to get a u.s tourist visa they have to provide either a bank account with a bond of 10k usd or they have to own a house and PROVE the will return to the phills. (saying you have family in phills is also not good enough reason to come back acording to u.s. embasey ) also on a turist visa she would HAVE to have a round trip ticket to prove she was coming back. so meaning if she really has a 1 way ticket that would only mean she got a k visa (fiance visa) and since you didnt apply one for her then someone else did. i would probly ask her what airlines and the date and then check to see if she is really booked on that flight and if she really is booked then i would ask her about the visa and what she had to do to get it cause it is very very hard to get a turist visa for usa from phills unless you have alot of money or property.

Answer 10

Sounds fishy...but yea she might have gotten the Visa months back, but hmm one -way tickets normally cost around 600USD , and if she is holding a tourist Visa she will be questioned at the immigration why she is holding a one-way ticket . What airline is she using?

Answer 11

...It's hard to tell... i do agree that 7 years is a long time to wait to rip someone off. Also the fact that she refused the money the first few times is in her favor as well.

I'd say give her the benefit of the doubt. A 7-year friendship is a wonderful investment... don't let it fail over money!