Philippines Forum

standupguy
Joined 2013
Posts: 2947

10 years ago

Bar Scam - Avoid La La Land in Manila

10 years ago

I was switching to the Domestic airport in Manila (terminal 4) from the International Terminal just after midnight. The Domestic terminal is closed from midnight to about 01:30. A cop directed me to a cab who was supposed to take me to a coffee shop next to terminal 4. It turned out to be a hot legs bar. I am married and don't fool around with other women, but the manager directed two of his hostesses to sit on either side of me. They wanted to sell sex and I told them I didn't commit adultery. They asked me to buy them a drink and I had one beer. The manager returned telling me it was $1,500 pesos "for everything". That was my first warning that this stop was going sideways on me. My cab returned and the staff took my bags outside. Then I was given a tab for $4,999 Pesos. The Visa card reader was on a short cord under a narrow window slot. I could not see the total, but I had to act fast to catch-up with my luggage. I took the receipt only to find out that they charged me $9955 pesos. I am disputing this with Visa. I am certain that the cop and cab driver were in on this. Very slimy. In the past 3 years of coming here, this was the first time I was scammed. Manila is a dangerous place. Davao is a lot safer.

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