LFC Investment Scheme

Oh no,  that's horrible.

quite the predicament not only for her, but for the two of you.

Unfortunately, so many Filipinos seem susceptible to the allure of these types of businesses because the longterm believed ROI is so unrealistically high. many of these MLM/business scams prey on those who are not financially literate enough to do the research and seem naieve to drop a solid chunk of money for a qucik return.

I have known quite a few people - in particular young ones who i have previously managed on my team or worked with indirectly at an agency i worked at before - and many of them have lost excess of over 20,000 pesos or more from these types of scams.  the best way to counter involvement is proper education.

the two of you need to have a serious conversation about money management and how you two will move forward from this. I hope you are able to get in touch with her and that she's ok!

Oh no, that's horrible.

quite the predicament not only for her, but for the two of you.

Unfortunately, so many Filipinos seem susceptible to the allure of these types of businesses because the longterm believed ROI is so unrealistically high. many of these MLM/business scams prey on those who are not financially literate enough to do the research and seem naieve to drop a solid chunk of money for a qucik return.

I have known quite a few people - in particular young ones who i have previously managed on my team or worked with indirectly at an agency i worked at before - and many of them have lost excess of over 20,000 pesos or more from these types of scams. the best way to counter involvement is proper education.

the two of you need to have a serious conversation about money management and how you two will move forward from this. I hope you are able to get in touch with her and that she's ok!

-@kristopherryanwatson

Excellent post. There is tons of that mlm type b.s. out there. When one person gets hooked into one they then convincingly go to relatives for mlm levels. Sometimes still believing it's the best investment ever.

It would seem that she has borrowed about 100k from relatives. Now on another post I did say she had bought a 4x4 for 100K so this may have been for that. However I am not convinced and my G/F, although chatting to me seems to have her head buried in the sand and is refusing to answer my questions about this scheme. I have tried to find out how much was lost, did she borrow the money to make these investments, how long has this been going on for, etc, but she will not answer the questions.

With that said, part of me is thinking that she may be preparing to try scam me and she has made the story up. However a lot of the things she told me recently have just not added up and I really do get the feeling she is hiding something from me or was.

Now a relative, niece of hers contacted me a couple of days ago (we have chatted briefly before mainly when I had my old Facebook Account hacked and shut down and I was reaching out to people to ask my g/f to email me because I lost most of the details. This relative told me not to send any money to my g/f because she had borrowed 100k from her mother. She also told me that they cannot contact my g/f and this is probably true at least on Facebook, because she shut down her main account and we communicate through an account she registered in my daughters name.

It could be an elaborate scam by either or both of them but I am inclined to believe the young lass, her story is more plausible and trying to think things through in my own mind, makes me sway more towards what she is saying. Just simple things my g/f has done or said or refused to say makes me think that way.

Kristopher Watson - Thank you for your concern, I am sure things will unravel in time and become clearer.

@Cherryann01

Wow, sorry to hear of this unfortunate news my friend. 

How long have you and she been together, if i may ask ?  Usually clues of one's character can be discovered after a lengthy period of time of interacting and being together...is this sort of behavior out of character of her ?

If i were you, i would pump the hand brakes on the relationship until you have a full picture of what has happened and when she's willing to be genuinely forthcoming with what she's done. to "borrow" 100k is a very significant amount of money and to do so from family is not something not easily  forgotten or disregarded by all those involved. if she did in fact purchase a 4x4,  she should be able to provide the paperwork as proof of sale,  yeah ?

Thank you very much, I only saw pictures and videos of her driving the 4x4.

@Cherryann01

I suppose that's acceptable. or is it ?

I mean it could be a friend's 4X4 for all you know.... just saying..

`

Yes, CA you certainly need more information before making any decisions.

Hope it's not the disaster for her and your daughter that it's sounding mate.

@Cherryann01
Wow, sorry to hear of this unfortunate news my friend.
How long have you and she been together, if i may ask ? Usually clues of one's character can be discovered after a lengthy period of time of interacting and being together...is this sort of behavior out of character of her ?

If i were you, i would pump the hand brakes on the relationship until you have a full picture of what has happened and when she's willing to be genuinely forthcoming with what she's done. to "borrow" 100k is a very significant amount of money and to do so from family is not something not easily forgotten or disregarded by all those involved. if she did in fact purchase a 4x4, she should be able to provide the paperwork as proof of sale, yeah ?
-@kristopherryanwatson

To answer your question fully, I went to meet her in May 2019 for the first time after chatting on Facebook for about 5 or 6 months. We stayed just outside Cagayan De Oro and that is where our daughter (3 in February) was conceived. When I found out she was pregnant, I did want to go around the time of the due birth but we agreed I would not come until our daughter got settled into this world. Then covid hit.

I went out again in May this year and finally met my beautiful daughter and we had a lovely time, staying in a condo in CDO. I was planning to go back in Feb 23.

My girlfriend told me today she lost 170k but I am still unclear about what she used the 100k she borrowed from family on, Maybe on the 4x4 or maybe on that and the failed investment. I do have a sneaky feeling she may have lost more.

@Cherryann01

Thank you for sharing.

I really hope she is willing to be transparent as to where and how she spent that money.

so altogether, she spent 270,000 ? 

that is a lot of money for most Filipinos. And to be honest, i'm very suspicious of this 170,000. she claimed she only needed 100,000 for the 4x4. so the additional 70,000 went where ?

hoping you'll have a clearer picture soon on this situation....

@Cherryann01
Thank you for sharing.
I really hope she is willing to be transparent as to where and how she spent that money.
so altogether, she spent 270,000 ?

that is a lot of money for most Filipinos. And to be honest, i'm very suspicious of this 170,000. she claimed she only needed 100,000 for the 4x4. so the additional 70,000 went where ?

hoping you'll have a clearer picture soon on this situation....
-@kristopherryanwatson

The 4x4 cost 100k, I know she lost money in this investment scheme and I have been told she borrowed 100k. She may have borrowed more, I do not know. So she could have spent the 100k she borrowed on the 4x4 and lost 70k of her money in the investment. Your idea about her borrowing the 4x4 and sending me pictures and videos could also be true. Then she must have lost the lot in the investment.

@Cherryann01

Quite possibly true. either way, i'm sorry to hear of your predicament with her and this whole situation with her. I hope she will be forthcoming and that you can resolve whatever challenges will transpire out of all this.  have you yet to find out where she is ? 

@Cherryann01
Quite possibly true. either way, i'm sorry to hear of your predicament with her and this whole situation with her. I hope she will be forthcoming and that you can resolve whatever challenges will transpire out of all this. have you yet to find out where she is ?
-@kristopherryanwatson

She said she was in Bulacan, staying with her brother, although from my experience the filipinos seem to get him/her, brother/sister mixed up. Said she had been for a job interview, minimum pay and factory work and she said she is waiting for the company to get back to her.

@Cherryann01

I recall often hearing  the He/She mixup in conversation. it's rather humourous and i often playfully correct them.

Anyway i am glad to hear that she seems to be ok? you must be relieved that at least you know where she is. bulacan is not far from where i am in Pampanga.

@Cherryann01

If it was not for your 2 year old daughter my advice would be to bale out of this relationship which I suppose is stating the obvious.

There are so many inconsistencies here that I have noted from your previous comments and observations.

I think she is trying to rope you in. Unfortunately from other stories I've heard Filipina's are masters at this. Assume the worst and if you are wrong then your judgment and not your wallet will take a hit.

The fact that she is opaque in her answers says it all.

@Cherryann01
If it was not for your 2 year old daughter my advice would be to bale out of this relationship which I suppose is stating the obvious.

There are so many inconsistencies here that I have noted from your previous comments and observations.

I think she is trying to rope you in. Unfortunately from other stories I've heard Filipina's are masters at this. Assume the worst and if you are wrong then your judgment and not your wallet will take a hit.

The fact that she is opaque in her answers says it all.
-@Lotus Eater

my thoughts exactly.  whatever the 2 of you do now, directly mpacts your little one..both of you need to be extra considerate of the challenges and choices you make as it defines your daughters future.

hoping to the two of you come out of this together and much stronger.

I consider myself to be strong willed when dealing with issues like these and whatever this is, there is absolutely no way I am paying any money towards this.

My girlfriend may have lost money in this investment scam, maybe even borrowed money from family members to invest and also to buy the 4x4. She may indeed have moved to look for work to earn money to repay the loan/debt.

On the other hand this could be an attempt to scam money from me, either by my girlfriend or a co-ordinated attempt by her and other family members. This young lady, my niece, I guess said my g/f borrowed 100k from her mum and maybe others also and told me not to send any money to my g/f. It could be that she will ask my directly to pay the 100k to her mum (Not Happening), if that is the case.

Maybe if I could prove my g/f is where she says she is and can produce paperwork to show her account with this investment company showing the amount she has lost in writing, I would be nearer to the truth.

My girlfriend did say that if I visited in February, I could visit her where she is now so who knows.

@Cherryann01

Or you could turn up unannounced. Surprise surprise

@Lotus Eater

yeah why not.  let's make it interesting!

@Cherryann01
Or you could turn up unannounced. Surprise surprise
-@Lotus Eater

The problem with that one is where do I turn up unannounced. If I go to where my g/f says she is and it is a scam and she never went there, then I will look like a complete mug. Also doing a surprise visit would mean if she is telling the truth and she found employment, how will she get time off at short notice.

7 years ago I could maybe have enlisted the help of Cilla (Surprise Surprise) haha.

Even my girlfriend is telling me to forget her now and move on.

Forget about Cilla CherryAnn. Your best bet would have been Jim Rockford - $200 per day plus expenses but he's passed away too

I read this thread and hate to say it, and probably staying the obvious, but it has all the hallmarks of a scam. Sounds like all the other stories of foreigners getting taken by a female and/or their family. Telling you to "forget her & move on" is a way of roping you in deeper, making it sound like she's looking out for you when in reality she's playing on your emotions. You seem pretty level headed CA, I hope you don't let emotions blindsided you and overule what looks like a pretty shady attempt at getting money out of you. Good luck!

Valid point Parvaze. Yes 'forget her & move on' is I suppose a 'reverse sell' But she knows Cherryanne has skin (his daughter) in the game and this alas will always be the trump card that she will play.

@Cherryann01

It is a risk you may be needing to take sooner or later. you seem like a very good and wholesome man, and deserve to know the full truth from her transparency. if she cannot be bothered to give that to you, i'm sorry, but she's not worth it. Unfortunately, the two of you have a kid together; this will now always be her Trump card she can pull out at any time to her advantage - and ironically - makes you look like the bad guy.  as i have said before, its unfortunate that your daughter will be most effected regardless what happens.

A decision of action must be made. sooner rather than later.   just please do not send her any more money - at least until she can be forthcoming and explain her side and once you've rebuilt absolute trust with her again. presuming that you intend to stay committed to her after all of this has been said and done...

So a quick update on this that is not very much, if truth be told. It would at least seem like my g/f is where she says she is (Bulacan). I had a video call with her sister or half sister the other day, she helped us out with child minding when I visited in May. Anyhow she called from a store where she has a job selling bananas and unless there is a similar store with exactly the same layout and the same owner, her sister was calling from Quezon City. She said she was going to see my g/f the next day to cheer her up and sent me pictures of the two of them together from a Mall.

So at least it looks like my g/f is where she says she is and in that case her story about moving to get a job seems more plausible. I am not going to over think this, just not send any money but I now think my g/f may have been gullible and lost money in this investment and it may be that my so called niece, who said my g/f owes 100k to her mum is the one trying to scam me. This young lady insisted that I do not tell my g/f that she contacted me and although she did not directly ask me to cover the debt, that may by the angle. My g/f also did ask me not to contact her relatives but this lady messaged me, not the other way around.

@Cherryann01

CA, thank you for sharing that Update.

So what will be your course of action?  Will you still wait until March to travel here to the Philippines?  I think its best to cut out the niece who seems to be the one with some sort of malicious intent.  It is hard to jduge one's character from solely talking online, but i wouldn't count on her bringing much benefit into the relationship you have with your Gf...

For now your sole focus is to strengthen the relationship you have with your gf.  this scam she found herself in is now but of a severe learning experience. it could have happened to anyone.

Cheers.

@Cherryann01
CA, thank you for sharing that Update.
So what will be your course of action? Will you still wait until March to travel here to the Philippines? I think its best to cut out the niece who seems to be the one with some sort of malicious intent. It is hard to jduge one's character from solely talking online, but i wouldn't count on her bringing much benefit into the relationship you have with your Gf...

For now your sole focus is to strengthen the relationship you have with your gf. this scam she found herself in is now but of a severe learning experience. it could have happened to anyone.


Cheers.
-@kristopherryanwatson

I think I need to wait a while before booking flights to go over, see what if any job my g/f gets and find out just how many holidays she is entitled to. I think I would be best picking a month/time to visit when there is a bank holiday in the Philippines. If she could get a few days off, maybe meet her in her present location and fly back home to see our daughter together.

When/if she tells me she has found a job, I will ask for pictures of her at her workplace in uniform, if required and maybe see if she can do a video call from work so I can see for myself.

Regarding the niece, I think you are right. If she contacts me again I will tell my g/f about the exchange and tell the niece that I will tell her also.

@Cherryann01

Wishing you all the best on this. a sore, and frustrating experience to say the least. these are things that do tend to happen in a long-distance relationship. take it from someone who had endured it for 2 years before moving here. I've put up with a many frustrations with my ex when we were together due to the circumstance of long-distance. it was heavy on the heart and maddening often. I would visit her every 5-6 months before moving here, and those 2-3 weeks when we were together were total bliss. i fell in love with her, the culture, and the country almost instantly..

you never know what the future holds. it may indeed happen to you too.

@Cherryann01
Wishing you all the best on this. a sore, and frustrating experience to say the least. these are things that do tend to happen in a long-distance relationship. take it from someone who had endured it for 2 years before moving here. I've put up with a many frustrations with my ex when we were together due to the circumstance of long-distance. it was heavy on the heart and maddening often. I would visit her every 5-6 months before moving here, and those 2-3 weeks when we were together were total bliss. i fell in love with her, the culture, and the country almost instantly..
you never know what the future holds. it may indeed happen to you too.
-@kristopherryanwatson

The hardest thing I have found about having a long distance relationship is the small differences of opinion that can escalate quickly and not the actual distance and number of times we see each other. The difference of opinion can cause all sorts of problems and with living so far away, it is just not the same as seeing each other in the street, club, supermarket and being able to sit down and talk things through.

@Cherryann01

I'm sorry to say i have a feeling you are being scammed. Some families will work together with the lies. Does her family have money. 100k to borrow from your mom is alot of money for the average filipino.

To CherryAnn, it is possible your girlfriend is hiding a gambling addiction. She used 100k to buy an SUV. But where is it now? She borrowed money from family. Where did that go? Lost it to a scams? How many times does one have to be scammed to learn a lesson?

Almost every day, I receive a text on betting on online gambling. I don't click the links, of course. I block it and delete. But sometimes they're deceptively written as a Smart mobile load or promo. (Official / legit texts will not show a number as a sender but an identifier like "SMART", "Converge ITC", etc. But if one does click the link and try playing, it is possible one can get hooked on it. Or she could be going to Bingo at the malls.

Perhaps you girlfriend has a gambling addiction.

Yes another angle to be considered. There are so many variables here in the mix.

Manila is on its way to becoming the gambling capital of Asia. Like the Chinese our Filipino friends do like the occasional flutter.

Filipino’s although in many ways ‘ street cred’ due to their impecunious lifestyle can be susceptible to get rich quick schemes.

As we know most Filipinos live for today. Tomorrow may never come.

They can also be very secretive.

If I don’t know an answer to an important question I always ask the question 3 times to 3 different sources. Cherryanne could try this route with an appropriate time gap ( he is not flying out until next Feb/March )and see if the responses align.

Yes another angle to be considered. There are so many variables here in the mix.
Manila is on its way to becoming the gambling capital of Asia. Like the Chinese our Filipino friends do like the occasional flutter.
Filipino’s although in many ways ‘ street cred’ due to their impecunious lifestyle can be susceptible to get rich quick schemes.
As we know most Filipinos live for today. Tomorrow may never come.
They can also be very secretive.
If I don’t know an answer to an important question I always ask the question 3 times to 3 different sources. Cherryanne could try this route with an appropriate time gap ( he is not flying out until next Feb/March )and see if the responses align.
-@Lotus Eater

I would probably get more information asking three different sauces to be truthful. I think I have some Heinz Brown sauce, Daddies Tomato Sauce and some Bolognese Sauce, maybe I will try asking them although I have not used the tomato sauce for a while so I may get no joy there.

Nothing makes any sense to me about this at all and I really do not know if she borrowed 100k, just what on source told me and she contacted me first, not the other way around so that is why I think she could be trying to scam me. My G/F said she lost 170K so that may be the total of her debt but if she did borrow another 100k, that would make 270K. Maybe she got the SUV with the borrowed 100k, I really do not know and she just ignores all my questions. I do not thing she is addicted to bingo or gambling in general but may have been suckered by the lure of earning quick money from this investment scheme she mentioned. I have asked her for her account details if so, any emails, any proof of this and also asked her exactly how much she lost and when, but she ignores my questions. She even deactivated her Facebook Account so I have not even bothered to follow it up. She did email me yesterday but said nothing, just sent me an old thread with 6 or 7 old email exchanges. She emailed me today to say sorry but offers no explanation so I really am tempted to just delete it and move on.

I just do not get her family either. Her sister who lives in Quezon City messaged me on Facebook and said she would go see my G/F. She sent me pictures about 10 days ago of the 2 of them together in a Mall. Then a day or two later messaged me to ask me if I knew where my G/F was. I mean, come on, you were with her, did it not enter your head to ask her when you were together I replied.

I would hire a Filipino Detective to dig around for some solid facts. Too many scammers looking out for the short term. In-laws can be a curse there. Wish you Luck CA.

Yes another angle to be considered. There are so many variables here in the mix.
Manila is on its way to becoming the gambling capital of Asia. Like the Chinese our Filipino friends do like the occasional flutter.
Filipino’s although in many ways ‘ street cred’ due to their impecunious lifestyle can be susceptible to get rich quick schemes.
As we know most Filipinos live for today. Tomorrow may never come.
They can also be very secretive.
If I don’t know an answer to an important question I always ask the question 3 times to 3 different sources. Cherryanne could try this route with an appropriate time gap ( he is not flying out until next Feb/March )and see if the responses align.
-@Lotus Eater
I would probably get more information asking three different sauces to be truthful. I think I have some Heinz Brown sauce, Daddies Tomato Sauce and some Bolognese Sauce, maybe I will try asking them although I have not used the tomato sauce for a while so I may get no joy there.

Nothing makes any sense to me about this at all and I really do not know if she borrowed 100k, just what on source told me and she contacted me first, not the other way around so that is why I think she could be trying to scam me. My G/F said she lost 170K so that may be the total of her debt but if she did borrow another 100k, that would make 270K. Maybe she got the SUV with the borrowed 100k, I really do not know and she just ignores all my questions. I do not thing she is addicted to bingo or gambling in general but may have been suckered by the lure of earning quick money from this investment scheme she mentioned. I have asked her for her account details if so, any emails, any proof of this and also asked her exactly how much she lost and when, but she ignores my questions. She even deactivated her Facebook Account so I have not even bothered to follow it up. She did email me yesterday but said nothing, just sent me an old thread with 6 or 7 old email exchanges. She emailed me today to say sorry but offers no explanation so I really am tempted to just delete it and move on.

I just do not get her family either. Her sister who lives in Quezon City messaged me on Facebook and said she would go see my G/F. She sent me pictures about 10 days ago of the 2 of them together in a Mall. Then a day or two later messaged me to ask me if I knew where my G/F was. I mean, come on, you were with her, did it not enter your head to ask her when you were together I replied.
-@Cherryann01

This I believe is what our American friends refer to as a C-----RF--K

After having read your above post Cherryann I'm convinced that something is not right here. Nothing adds up. I'm no counsellor but the whole foundation of any relationship is honesty with each other. Patently your GF is holding back information. By letting this soap opera continue you will just become more frustrated and bitter. Agree a monthly amount for your daughters needs and draw a line in the sand.

Only my washing powder opinion.

I would hire a Filipino Detective to dig around for some solid facts. Too many scammers looking out for the short term. In-laws can be a curse there. Wish you Luck CA.
-@Lat61

Yeah but finding a reliable Filipino version of Jim (at the tone leave your name & number, I'll get back to you) Rockford is just as difficult as finding an honest Filipino lawyer. They'll just string you along.

Yes another angle to be considered. There are so many variables here in the mix.
Manila is on its way to becoming the gambling capital of Asia. Like the Chinese our Filipino friends do like the occasional flutter.
Filipino’s although in many ways ‘ street cred’ due to their impecunious lifestyle can be susceptible to get rich quick schemes.
As we know most Filipinos live for today. Tomorrow may never come.
They can also be very secretive.
If I don’t know an answer to an important question I always ask the question 3 times to 3 different sources. Cherryanne could try this route with an appropriate time gap ( he is not flying out until next Feb/March )and see if the responses align.
-@Lotus Eater
I would probably get more information asking three different sauces to be truthful. I think I have some Heinz Brown sauce, Daddies Tomato Sauce and some Bolognese Sauce, maybe I will try asking them although I have not used the tomato sauce for a while so I may get no joy there.

Nothing makes any sense to me about this at all and I really do not know if she borrowed 100k, just what on source told me and she contacted me first, not the other way around so that is why I think she could be trying to scam me. My G/F said she lost 170K so that may be the total of her debt but if she did borrow another 100k, that would make 270K. Maybe she got the SUV with the borrowed 100k, I really do not know and she just ignores all my questions. I do not thing she is addicted to bingo or gambling in general but may have been suckered by the lure of earning quick money from this investment scheme she mentioned. I have asked her for her account details if so, any emails, any proof of this and also asked her exactly how much she lost and when, but she ignores my questions. She even deactivated her Facebook Account so I have not even bothered to follow it up. She did email me yesterday but said nothing, just sent me an old thread with 6 or 7 old email exchanges. She emailed me today to say sorry but offers no explanation so I really am tempted to just delete it and move on.

I just do not get her family either. Her sister who lives in Quezon City messaged me on Facebook and said she would go see my G/F. She sent me pictures about 10 days ago of the 2 of them together in a Mall. Then a day or two later messaged me to ask me if I knew where my G/F was. I mean, come on, you were with her, did it not enter your head to ask her when you were together I replied.
-@Cherryann01

This I believe is what our American friends refer to as a C-----RF--K

After having read your above post Cherryann I'm convinced that something is not right here. Nothing adds up. I'm no counsellor but the whole foundation of any relationship is honesty with each other. Patently your GF is holding back information. By letting this soap opera continue you will just become more frustrated and bitter. Agree a monthly amount for your daughters needs and draw a line in the sand.

Only my washing powder opinion.
-@Lotus Eater

Yes I must be strong, maybe I should use Bold

I would hire a Filipino Detective to dig around for some solid facts. Too many scammers looking out for the short term. In-laws can be a curse there. Wish you Luck CA.
-@Lat61
Yeah but finding a reliable Filipino version of Jim (at the tone leave your name & number, I'll get back to you) Rockford is just as difficult as finding an honest Filipino lawyer. They'll just string you along.
-@Lotus Eater

You seem to be obsessed with Rockford, what is wrong with Big Frank (Cannon) apart from he won't be chasing anybodyand will probably be wasting my fee on twinkies and other snacks.

I think that if I was minted, I would hire Hercule Poirot. Just for fun, does anybody else have a fictional detective in mind?

@Cherryann01

I would hire a Filipino Detective to dig around for some solid facts. Too many scammers looking out for the short term. In-laws can be a curse there. Wish you Luck CA.
-@Lat61
Yeah but finding a reliable Filipino version of Jim (at the tone leave your name & number, I'll get back to you) Rockford is just as difficult as finding an honest Filipino lawyer. They'll just string you along.
-@Lotus Eater
You seem to be obsessed with Rockford, what is wrong with Big Frank (Cannon) apart from he won't be chasing anybodyand will probably be wasting my fee on twinkies and other snacks.
-@Cherryann01

Lol. Frank Cannon drove a gas guzzling cadillac - given the price of fuel I'd hate to think of the final expenses tab. Perhaps Harry 'O' Orwell - he always travelled by bus..