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Posted on a SEA backpackers Facebook group yesterday, supposedly by a young German woman. Apparently she did not report this to the police.

To a visitor, could a Filipino be mistaken for a local?

Username Taken wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:10 pm To a visitor, could a Filipino be mistaken for a local?

I was wondering about that too. It sounds so much like the Filipino card scam, but without the cards - just straight to the ATM.

Username Taken wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:10 pm To a visitor, could a Filipino be mistaken for a local?

That's exactly what I thought when I read it. It's exactly the same MO other than them skipping the long spiel. I doubt that many western visitors would be able to tell a Filipino from a local.
I'm not surprised she didn't report it, but it's a pity she didn't because if the competent authorities followed it up they might be able to identify the perps from the CCTV footage.
I'm surprised she was able to withdraw so much, is that normal? The only time I remember withdrawing a few thousand in one night ( not here, in South Asia), I had to hit a few ATMs in one night.

All good points especially"The only time I remember withdrawing a few thousand in one night ( not here, in South Asia), I had to hit a few ATMs in one night."

That might explain her reticence to make a police report.

Maybe it's different with other cards. Anyway to be fair she's probably freaked-out and wants to get out of here ASAP, and is probably aware of the police's poor reputation when dealing with reported crimes. The only reason for a tourist to report a crime is usually because their insurance demands it or they are naive enough to expect a better reception. Not that they don't catch people thieving off tourists sometimes, more just that they can't deal with the situation for various reasons....

I am prolly way off base here.
But what bank anywhere allows an atm a $3,000.00 withdraw. Granted I set my own limit to $500.00 daily max. Just curious.

Bingo, on the Filipino scam. The red flag flew right when the OP said she spoke good English. Poor girl, who I can imagine was scared sh*tless when forced to empty her account.

Luigi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 8:20 pm I am prolly way off base here.
But what bank anywhere allows an atm a $3,000.00 withdraw. Granted I set my own limit to $500.00 daily max. Just curious.

That's what I was wondering, most ATMs seem to have a $1000 daily limit* but maybe it depends on the account?





* I think this is good for security reasons, but then again you could be kidnapped and tied up all week while your account gets emptied instead of them just taking a good wedge in one go.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 8:33 pm

Luigi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2017 8:20 pm I am prolly way off base here.
But what bank anywhere allows an atm a $3,000.00 withdraw. Granted I set my own limit to $500.00 daily max. Just curious.

That's what I was wondering, most ATMs seem to have a $1000 daily limit* but maybe it depends on the account?





* I think this is good for security reasons, but then again you could be kidnapped and tied up all week while your account gets emptied instead of them just taking a good wedge in one go.

$1,000.00 was the most I could set as limit. But seeing as how as I am a high net worth individual I set it at $500.00 figuring my kidnappers would be so annoyed with me on day two they would let me go.