Who's scamming who?

[English Rose]

Can anyone understand what is happening to me? I am going out to the Philippines on 8th December to visit my friend Emil and his family. We've known each other 2 years and met when he was over here.
I made a contact in Manila called Spencer, through Mensa, a well respected organisation. We exchanged many emails about possible places to see and go and he offered his services to me and Emil as a tour guide for free, just pay for the tours and the food etc. I should mention that I've done this in other countries (Hong Kong, Singapore) through the Mensa organisation.
Then one day I received an email warning me that Spencer had a record of internet scams, booking up hotels and taking the money. I sent a copy to Spencer who then suggested that Emil's family were behind it. Emil had just travelled to Manila for a funeral and Spencer thought he had been talking about my trip and the relatives were planning to isolate me from any contacts I'd made. Emil had emailed me from his niece's laptop and there was the thought that perhaps she read my emails and got my details and was cooking something up.
I didn't hear from Emil for several days because he was still in the funeral parlour and meanwhile I had many discussions by email with Spencer over who could have sent it.
I was certain Emil had nothing to do with it, he kept insisting he was a suspect which I found strange, because there's no proof of anything, it's just speculation. I was beginning to think Spencer wanted to create a split between me and Emil, to get me to trust only him, with a view to parting me from my money in some way. I told Spencer it was offensive to me to say bad things about Emil and he wrote back saying I shouldn't email him any more, because he would never trust Emil as long as the culprit wasn't known and this meant he was in danger.
This seems weird to me, because all along he was saying that it was me who was in danger from bad people over there.
Can anyone throw any light on this?

[triple5]

Sounds very weird, was the email anonymous? Did you reply to it? I think that's the only chance you've got of finding out what's going on - by talking to the person who sent the email.

[Tawi2]

Pinoy mindgames,some of those guys take tiny insignificant things and expand them into something of mind-boggling complexity(worthy of Densa never mind Mensa) Also remember not everyone is as agenda free as yourself,some will view you as the jewel in the crown,a passport out,just keep your wits about you,trust is earned not given just because someone is a member of Mensa enjoy your trip but never let your guard down

[English Rose]

The email was anonymous. I wrote back and asked who the person was and she replied that she was called Jacqueline Vallares and had been asked to forward the email by her "chat friend". I wrote again but she didn't reply.
Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[triple5]

Just a hunch, but it could be that Emil feels insecure and threatened by Spencer, and the email has come from him. Like Tawi says they can play some strange mind games at times.

[English Rose]

Just a hunch, but it could be that Emil feels insecure and threatened by Spencer, and the email has come from him. Like Tawi says they can play some strange mind games at times.

Emil was doubtful about Spencer at first but was OK about it before he went to Manila. I wonder whether he talked it over with his relatives who decided to intervene without his knowledge. Emil insists he had nothing to do with it.

[September]

From that point of view, (based on your post) be careful with Spencer, ohh and be careful also as far as money concern

[whiteraven]

if i were in that situation i would decline spencers services then there would be no chance of being conned out of money.if emil or his relatives were behind the email then something else may or may not show up further in your relationship.

[aromulus]

I would avoid both....

[pacificelectric]

I would avoid both....

I am not sure I grasped clearly what the whole story is all about but this seems very wise!

[bornatbirth]

I would avoid both....

so would i.

you can hire a car and driver if you need to,for the day and he will take you anywhere you want...cheaper and less hassle than going by taxi everywhere.

tell spencer to take a hike.

im not sure if emil is wasting your time but he should be the one showing you around and looking after you.

you seem to smart to be fooled by anyone,after reading you post,i would tell them to tell the truth ...if your not convinced by either,you know what to do!

[English Rose]

so would i.


im not sure if emil is wasting your time but he should be the one showing you around and looking after you.

To be fair on Emil, he said he didn't know Manila, which is why I contacted Spencer. Maybe that seems wrong to some people but I've always contacted the Mensa group in another country when I've gone abroad and there's never been any bother.

[somebody]

Can anyone understand what is happening to me? I am going out to the Philippines on 8th December to visit my friend Emil and his family. We've known each other 2 years and met when he was over here.
I made a contact in Manila called Spencer, through Mensa, a well respected organisation. We exchanged many emails about possible places to see and go and he offered his services to me and Emil as a tour guide for free, just pay for the tours and the food etc. I should mention that I've done this in other countries (Hong Kong, Singapore) through the Mensa organisation.
Then one day I received an email warning me that Spencer had a record of internet scams, booking up hotels and taking the money. I sent a copy to Spencer who then suggested that Emil's family were behind it. Emil had just travelled to Manila for a funeral and Spencer thought he had been talking about my trip and the relatives were planning to isolate me from any contacts I'd made. Emil had emailed me from his niece's laptop and there was the thought that perhaps she read my emails and got my details and was cooking something up.
I didn't hear from Emil for several days because he was still in the funeral parlour and meanwhile I had many discussions by email with Spencer over who could have sent it.
I was certain Emil had nothing to do with it, he kept insisting he was a suspect which I found strange, because there's no proof of anything, it's just speculation. I was beginning to think Spencer wanted to create a split between me and Emil, to get me to trust only him, with a view to parting me from my money in some way. I told Spencer it was offensive to me to say bad things about Emil and he wrote back saying I shouldn't email him any more, because he would never trust Emil as long as the culprit wasn't known and this meant he was in danger.
This seems weird to me, because all along he was saying that it was me who was in danger from bad people over there.
Can anyone throw any light on this?

hmm i remeber your post asking about the Lady.

Can Spencer produce refrences? Or is he as know to you as I am to your good self? ie just another user/member of a forum/group?

As others have said Spencer and Emil may well be totally honest and someother person or persons have created the confusion.

A Brit is a walking gold mine to some in Phil, lets beat around the bush. So your right to be cautious.

Normally I would say send me the emails and we can check the headers but if they were created at an internet cafe from a webmail account then your no nearer to knowing who sent it.

I can understand while emil might be jealous of Spencer even if he had nothing to do with the Emails. Confiding and arranging to meet another person would be quite hurtfully i guess to many if they thought that they alone was to be your host..

[bornatbirth]

[QUOTE=English Rose;191897]

so would i.


im not sure if emil is wasting your time but he should be the one showing you around and looking after you.

QUOTE]

To be fair on Emil, he said he didn't know Manila, which is why I contacted Spencer. Maybe that seems wrong to some people but I've always contacted the Mensa group in another country when I've gone abroad and there's never been any bother.

well the philipines is full of scammers,so i would forget spencer!

meeting other people from mensa in other countries maybe safer but i wouldnt bother in the philipines from the nonsense he been telling you.

just get a driver to take you both around

[Florge]

what is Spencer's real name? Got a few friends from Mensa manila and will ask around if they know a Spencer...

[English Rose]

what is Spencer's real name? Got a few friends from Mensa manila and will ask around if they know a Spencer...

Thanks! His name's Spencer Yap. He's the assistant SIGHT Officer - "Service for Information, Guidance and Hospitality to Travellers" - the one who looks after people from other countries.

[Florge]

Thanks! His name's Spencer Yap. He's the assistant SIGHT Officer - "Service for Information, Guidance and Hospitality to Travellers" - the one who looks after people from other countries.

got it!

[Tawi2]

Manila isnt exactly the upper reaches of the amazon nor Borneos Low's Gully,you dont exactly need a guide to find your way around,get a guide book and ask questions here,voila you have dispensed with Spencer,he is now out of the equation If he is a Mensa member does it make him a better guide?Some of the brightest people I have met had no street smarts and couldnt find their way from one end of the street to another,get a guide book,hire a car and driver,your problems are now non-existant Just enjoy your vacation and dont brook any nonsense from people sending secret e-mailed warnings

[jonathan47]

IMHO, sounds like insurcurity to me from emil and maybe spencer to, if you want to be with emil dont invilove to many others i have found respect family but concentrate on your mahal, find time for just the 2 of you, it may well be that emil was offended some that you looked to another as a guide and got a friend to send the email....its not a bad thing it shows she cares and wants to be the one to look after you.....drop spencer concentrate on emil and enjoy your visit


regards

jj

[Sophie]

[QUOTE=bornatbirth;191904]

just get a driver to take you both around

get a guide book,hire a car and driver,your problems are now non-existant

Agree, agree

[pennybarry]

IMHO, I will not trust them both. I will book my own accommodation online which is very easy to do. There are loads of hotels in Makati, pension houses which I am sure you'll be fine. You can both catch a taxi from Airport to Makati at around 3-5 pounds.
Let him visit you there, visit his family, know his family better, and sooner or later, you'll discover the truth by your ownself and not from anybody else.
Don't stay in one place like Makati. Visit his family and friends in his province if you want to know him well. It is our culture to introduce our mahal/love ones in our family. Every Filipinos is proud to introduce their boyfriend and girlfriend. If he has allibi, then be very aware and careful.

[English Rose]

If he is a Mensa member does it make him a better guide?Some of the brightest people I have met had no street smarts and couldnt find their way from one end of the street to another,get a guide book,hire a car and driver,your problems are now non-existant Just enjoy your vacation and dont brook any nonsense from people sending secret e-mailed warnings

It's just that I'm a sociable person who likes to make friends wherever I go. I had a great time in Hong Kong staying with a lady there in her flat - didn't know her from Adam before I went. Last year I went to Moldova for a month and stayed with a lady I'd never met either, in her flat.

It works both ways. Returning by train from a trip to London on Sunday, a lady fresh over from Poland to work in the local hospital asked me if she'd be able to get a taxi from the station. The answer was no and as it's 2 or 3 miles from the town with no buses either along a dark, isolated and narrow country lane, I gave her a lift. She didn't seem at all worried, getting in a car with a complete stranger.

[Tawi2]

Dispense with his services if he is causing you worry,you dont really need him,its easy to meet people in Pinas,sit in a Jollibee and strike up a conversation with the family munching spaghetti on the next table,or sit on a street corner in Baclaran and chat to people working on the market,you will fit in fine I once got in the truck of a complete stranger in Pakistan and had his goats jumping all over me everytime he took a tight corner A cloven hoof in the groin takes all the fun out of a trip Just enjoy yourself and try not to worry too much

[pennybarry]

Dispense with his services if he is causing you worry,you dont really need him,its easy to meet people in Pinas,sit in a Jollibee and strike up a conversation with the family munching spaghetti on the next table,or sit on a street corner in Baclaran and chat to people working on the market,you will fit in fine I once got in the truck of a complete stranger in Pakistan and had his goats jumping all over me everytime he took a tight corner A cloven hoof in the groin takes all the fun out of a trip Just enjoy yourself and try not to worry too much

I agree with Tawi, it's very easy to meet people in Pinas. There are many good ones but there are also some who will take advantage to you. It is strange, in Pinas, if you are white, they always think you are millionaire.

[Tawi2]

The hard part in Pinas is never meeting people,its politely extricating yourself from their company when you feel claustrophobic and want a little solitude and "Me time" if your out in the boonies they always ask "Who is your companion" then look amazed when you tell them you dont have one so suddenly they are your new found bestest buddy

[aposhark]

Can anyone understand what is happening to me? I am going out to the Philippines on 8th December to visit my friend Emil and his family. We've known each other 2 years and met when he was over here.
I made a contact in Manila called Spencer, through Mensa, a well respected organisation. We exchanged many emails about possible places to see and go and he offered his services to me and Emil as a tour guide for free, just pay for the tours and the food etc. I should mention that I've done this in other countries (Hong Kong, Singapore) through the Mensa organisation.
Then one day I received an email warning me that Spencer had a record of internet scams, booking up hotels and taking the money. I sent a copy to Spencer who then suggested that Emil's family were behind it. Emil had just travelled to Manila for a funeral and Spencer thought he had been talking about my trip and the relatives were planning to isolate me from any contacts I'd made. Emil had emailed me from his niece's laptop and there was the thought that perhaps she read my emails and got my details and was cooking something up.
I didn't hear from Emil for several days because he was still in the funeral parlour and meanwhile I had many discussions by email with Spencer over who could have sent it.
I was certain Emil had nothing to do with it, he kept insisting he was a suspect which I found strange, because there's no proof of anything, it's just speculation. I was beginning to think Spencer wanted to create a split between me and Emil, to get me to trust only him, with a view to parting me from my money in some way. I told Spencer it was offensive to me to say bad things about Emil and he wrote back saying I shouldn't email him any more, because he would never trust Emil as long as the culprit wasn't known and this meant he was in danger.
This seems weird to me, because all along he was saying that it was me who was in danger from bad people over there.
Can anyone throw any light on this?

I think the answer is in your first paragraph.
If Emil is your friend then trust him.
That's what friends are all about.
Don't let other people cloud your judgement about a friend.
Sometimes a friend puts anyone of us straight.

[IanB]

My bet is that Spencer is a scammer. Mensa is no more reputable than any other organisation and certainly intelligence does not guarantee honesty!

[Tawi2]

Criminal genius

[aposhark]

Criminal genius

Only if he gets away with it

[Pete67]

As a former member of mensa myself, I can clearly remember many years ago that one of their senior officers was, I beleive, strongly suspected of a major fraud against the organisation, can't remember their name now but it just goes to show that being a member of mensa is no indicator of honesty.