I. Overview

In the Philippines, many people receive money from relatives, partners, clients, employers, buyers, charities, or supposed foreign benefactors abroad. Because remittances are common, scammers often use the promise of incoming foreign funds to trick victims into paying “fees” before money can supposedly be released.

The key question is this:

Is it legitimate to pay a fee in order to receive money sent from abroad?

The practical legal answer is:

Usually, no. A demand that you first pay a fee, tax, clearance charge, customs charge, anti-money laundering fee, account upgrade fee, or processing fee before receiving money is a major scam warning sign, especially when the money was unsolicited, unusually large, or tied to an online relationship, prize, inheritance, donation, job offer, parcel, investment, or cryptocurrency transaction.

There are legitimate remittance fees in real transactions, but these are normally charged to the sender, deducted transparently by the licensed remittance company, or clearly disclosed by a bank or money service business. They are not usually collected through personal bank accounts, e-wallet numbers, gift cards, crypto wallets, or repeated “release fees.”

This article explains the legal, practical, and fraud-related issues under Philippine circumstances.

II. The Common Scam Pattern

The scam usually follows a predictable script:

Someone abroad claims they sent you money.
You receive a message, email, fake bank notice, fake remittance receipt, or fake courier/customs document.
You are told the money is “on hold.”
You must pay a fee before release.
After paying, another fee appears.
The promised money never arrives.

Common labels for the demanded payment include:

“release fee,” “clearance fee,” “tax fee,” “anti-terrorism certificate,” “anti-money laundering certificate,” “COT code,” “IMF fee,” “World Bank fee,” “customs fee,” “insurance fee,” “account activation fee,” “account upgrade fee,” “transfer code fee,” “conversion fee,” “foreign exchange clearance,” “parcel release fee,” “diplomatic seal fee,” or “lawyer’s fee.”

The name changes, but the structure is the same: you are asked to pay money to get money.

That is the classic form of an advance-fee scam.

III. Legitimate Remittance Fees vs. Scam Fees

Not every fee connected to an international transfer is illegal or fraudulent. Banks, remittance centers, money service businesses, and e-wallets may charge service fees. However, there is a major difference between legitimate charges and scam demands.

A. Legitimate fees

Legitimate fees are usually:

Disclosed before or during the transaction.
Charged by a licensed bank, remittance company, e-wallet, or money service business.
Paid by the sender, or deducted from the amount received.
Reflected in an official receipt or transaction record.
Paid through official channels, not to a random individual.
Verifiable through the official website, hotline, branch, or app of the financial institution.

For example, if a relative abroad sends ₱20,000 through a licensed remittance company, the sender may pay a transfer fee abroad. The recipient in the Philippines may simply present valid identification and claim the money. In some cases, the recipient may receive a slightly reduced amount due to exchange rate or service deductions, but the recipient is not usually told to deposit a separate fee to a stranger before release.

B. Scam fees

Scam fees are usually:

Demanded before you can receive the supposed money.
Paid to a personal bank account, e-wallet, crypto wallet, or unknown “agent.”
Repeatedly requested under different names.
Accompanied by threats, urgency, secrecy, or emotional pressure.
Supported by fake documents using logos of banks, government agencies, courts, customs offices, the United Nations, IMF, World Bank, or police agencies.
Connected to money you did not expect or cannot independently verify.
Required even though no real bank or remittance company confirms the transfer.

A legitimate financial institution does not normally say, “Deposit ₱5,000 to this individual’s GCash account so we can release your $50,000 transfer.”

IV. Why This Scam Works in the Philippines

The Philippines is especially vulnerable to this type of fraud because international remittances are part of ordinary life. Many Filipinos have family members, partners, clients, employers, or online contacts abroad. Scammers exploit this reality.

They often target:

Overseas Filipino Workers’ families.
People in online romantic relationships.
Freelancers expecting foreign payments.
Job applicants applying for overseas work.
Sellers dealing with supposed foreign buyers.
People looking for financial aid.
Social media users contacted by strangers.
Victims of fake investment or crypto platforms.
People told they won a lottery, grant, inheritance, or donation.
People expecting parcels from abroad.

The scam is effective because it sounds plausible: international transfers, foreign taxes, customs checks, bank compliance reviews, and anti-money laundering rules do exist. Scammers abuse these real concepts to create fake payment demands.

V. Philippine Legal Context

Several Philippine laws may be relevant depending on the facts.

A. Estafa under the Revised Penal Code

A person who deceives another into giving money may be liable for estafa. In simple terms, estafa involves fraud or deceit that causes another person to part with money or property.

In an advance-fee remittance scam, the fraud may consist of pretending that:

Money was sent from abroad.
A bank is holding the funds.
A fee is legally required.
The sender is real.
A government agency requires payment.
A courier, customs office, or remittance company is involved.
Payment will result in release of funds.

If the victim pays because of these false representations, the conduct may fall within estafa, depending on proof of deceit, damage, and the specific facts.

B. Cybercrime Prevention Act

If the scam was committed through the internet, social media, messaging apps, email, fake websites, online banking, e-wallets, or digital platforms, the Cybercrime Prevention Act may be relevant.

Online fraud can aggravate or qualify certain offenses because technology was used to commit the deceit. Many advance-fee scams are cyber-enabled because scammers use Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Instagram, dating apps, fake bank websites, email spoofing, or fake online receipts.

C. Access Devices Regulation

If credit cards, debit cards, online banking credentials, account numbers, OTPs, or electronic payment access devices are misused, laws on access device fraud may also become relevant.

Victims should be especially careful not to provide:

OTPs.
Passwords.
PINs.
Card numbers.
CVV codes.
Online banking login details.
E-wallet verification codes.
Selfie verification images.
Copies of IDs for suspicious transactions.

Providing these can lead not only to loss of money but also identity theft.

D. Anti-Money Laundering Rules

Scammers often invoke “anti-money laundering clearance” to justify fake fees. This is misleading.

Real banks and covered institutions in the Philippines must comply with anti-money laundering obligations. They may ask questions, verify identities, request supporting documents, or decline suspicious transactions. But a supposed “AML fee” paid to a random person or personal account is a red flag.

A bank may require compliance documents. It does not normally require the recipient to pay a mysterious private “anti-money laundering certificate fee” through GCash, Maya, crypto, or a personal deposit.

E. Consumer Protection and Financial Regulation

Banks, remittance companies, e-wallets, and money service businesses operate under financial regulations. Legitimate providers have official customer service channels, complaint mechanisms, and transaction references.

If a supposed bank or remittance company cannot be verified through official channels, the transaction should be treated as suspicious.

VI. Common Scenarios

1. Online romance: “I sent you money, but you must pay the bank fee”

This is one of the most common setups. A person met online claims to be a foreigner, soldier, engineer, doctor, seafarer, widow, or businessperson. After gaining trust, they say they sent money, a parcel, or inheritance funds. Then an “agent” contacts the victim demanding fees.

This is highly suspicious. Romance scammers often use affection, promises of marriage, emergency stories, and emotional pressure to make the victim pay.

2. Fake parcel from abroad

The scammer says a package containing money, jewelry, gadgets, or documents was sent to the Philippines. A fake courier or customs officer then demands payment for customs duties, clearance, anti-terrorism certificates, storage fees, or penalties.

Real customs duties may exist for actual imported goods, but payment should be made through official channels and based on verifiable shipment records. A courier asking for repeated payments to personal e-wallets is a major red flag.

3. Fake inheritance

The victim is told that a foreign relative, unknown millionaire, deceased client, or wealthy person left them an inheritance. A fake lawyer or bank officer demands fees for documents, probate, taxes, or release.

Real inheritances do not normally begin with a random message from a foreign lawyer asking the beneficiary to pay through informal channels. Large estates require formal documentation, identity verification, and lawful procedures.

4. Fake lottery or prize

The victim is told they won a foreign lottery, raffle, grant, or charity donation. They must pay tax or processing fees before receiving the prize.

If you did not join a legitimate lottery, you did not win. A real prize does not require secret advance payments to strangers.

5. Fake job offer abroad

The victim is offered overseas employment and told that salary advances, relocation money, or processing funds were sent. Then a fee is required to release the money or complete the transfer.

This may overlap with illegal recruitment, fake employment, and identity theft. Overseas job offers should be verified through proper recruitment and labor channels.

6. Fake client payment for freelancers

A freelancer receives a fake payment confirmation from an alleged foreign client. The “payment platform” says the recipient must upgrade their account, pay a business verification fee, or refund an overpayment.

Legitimate freelance platforms and payment processors do not normally require recipients to send money to personal accounts before receiving client payments.

7. Fake cryptocurrency withdrawal

A crypto platform says the victim earned profits but must pay taxes, gas fees, wallet verification fees, or anti-money laundering deposits before withdrawal.

Some blockchain transactions have network fees, but scam platforms often invent endless withdrawal fees. A platform that requires repeated deposits before allowing withdrawal is likely fraudulent.

8. Fake bank transfer requiring a “COT code”

Scammers often use the term “Cost of Transfer code” or “COT code.” This is a common scam phrase. Victims are told they must pay for a code before an international transfer can be completed.

Real banks do not typically require ordinary recipients to buy secret transfer codes from unknown agents.

VII. Red Flags That the Fee Is a Scam

A fee demand is highly suspicious when any of the following are present:

You did not expect the money.
The sender is someone you met only online.
The amount is unusually large.
You are told to keep the transaction secret.
The payment must be made urgently.
The fee must be paid to a personal account.
The fee is requested through GCash, Maya, crypto, Western Union, remittance to an individual, gift cards, or load.
The supposed bank uses a Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or suspicious email address.
The website has spelling errors, poor grammar, or a strange domain name.
The documents contain seals, stamps, or logos that look copied.
You are threatened with arrest, blacklisting, account freezing, or criminal charges.
The sender refuses to provide verifiable transaction details.
The “agent” discourages you from calling the bank directly.
You are asked for OTPs, passwords, or banking credentials.
The fees keep increasing after each payment.
The supposed institution cannot be verified independently.
The sender becomes angry, romantic, pitiful, or threatening when questioned.
You are told that the money is already yours but inaccessible until you pay.

One red flag is enough to pause. Several red flags together strongly indicate fraud.

VIII. The Legal Reality About “Taxes” on Money Sent from Abroad

Scammers often say the recipient must pay “tax” before money can be released. This is commonly false or misleading.

In ordinary remittances, money sent by family members abroad is generally not released only after the recipient pays a mysterious upfront tax to an individual collector. Tax obligations, if any, are handled through lawful tax processes, not through random payment demands by supposed agents online.

A real tax assessment would have identifiable legal basis, official documentation, proper government channels, and verifiable payment procedures. A screenshot or certificate from a stranger is not enough.

The word “tax” is often used because it sounds official and frightening. Victims may pay because they fear violating the law. But a demand for “tax” through an informal account is one of the strongest warning signs.

IX. Customs Fees and Parcels

Customs duties can be real when actual goods enter the Philippines. However, scammers exploit this by inventing fake parcel fees.

A genuine customs-related charge should be connected to a real shipment, tracking number, courier, customs declaration, assessed value, and official payment process. You should be able to verify it directly with the courier or relevant government channel using contact information from the official website, not from the message sent by the alleged agent.

Be suspicious when:

The parcel supposedly contains cash.
The courier asks for payment through a personal e-wallet.
The package has no verifiable tracking record.
The sender says the parcel is diplomatic or confidential.
The supposed customs officer contacts you through a personal social media account.
The payment demand includes threats of arrest.
The parcel contains impossible or suspicious items, such as millions in cash.

Sending cash hidden in parcels is itself suspicious and may raise legal issues. Do not participate in transactions that involve concealed currency, unexplained valuables, or attempts to bypass customs or banking rules.

X. “The Money Is Already in Your Name” Is Not Enough

Scammers often tell victims that the money is already deposited under their name and will be forfeited unless they pay. This is psychological pressure.

In real financial transactions, proof matters. A legitimate incoming transfer should be verifiable through:

The sender’s official transaction receipt.
The remittance control number or reference number.
The licensed remittance center’s official system.
The recipient’s own bank or e-wallet app.
Direct confirmation from the bank or remittance company using official contact details.

A screenshot sent by a stranger is not reliable. Fake receipts are easy to create.

XI. What a Real Recipient Should Do Before Paying Anything

Before paying any supposed fee, a recipient in the Philippines should take these steps:

1. Contact the bank or remittance company directly

Use only official contact details from the official website, app, branch, or verified customer service channel. Do not use phone numbers, email addresses, or links provided by the suspicious sender.

2. Verify whether the transaction exists

Ask whether there is a real incoming transfer under your name. Provide only safe details, such as a reference number. Do not provide OTPs, passwords, or sensitive login information.

3. Check whether the institution is licensed or legitimate

Deal only with known banks, regulated remittance companies, e-wallet providers, or recognized financial institutions.

4. Ask whether the fee is official

If a fee exists, ask:

What is the legal basis?
Who is charging it?
Can it be deducted from the transfer?
Is there an official invoice?
Is payment made to the company’s official account?
Can it be paid at a branch?
Why is a personal e-wallet or bank account being used?

If the answers are vague, stop.

5. Do not click suspicious links

Fake bank and remittance websites are common. They may steal credentials or install malware.

6. Do not send IDs unless verified

Scammers may use IDs for identity theft, SIM registration misuse, loan applications, mule accounts, or further scams.

7. Do not send more money to recover money

Once you have paid and the scammer asks for another fee, stop immediately. Repeated payments rarely recover the promised funds.

XII. If You Already Paid

If you already paid a fee, act quickly.

1. Stop communicating with the scammer

Do not argue, negotiate, or threaten. Scammers may use your responses to manipulate you further.

2. Preserve evidence

Save:

Screenshots of conversations.
Names, usernames, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Bank account numbers.
GCash or Maya numbers.
Crypto wallet addresses.
Transaction receipts.
Fake documents.
Website links.
Profile URLs.
Photos sent by the scammer.
Call logs.
Tracking numbers.
Any identification details used by the scammer.

Do not delete the conversation.

3. Contact your bank or e-wallet immediately

Report the transaction as fraudulent. Ask whether the transfer can be held, reversed, traced, or flagged. Recovery is not guaranteed, but speed matters.

4. Report the incident

Victims in the Philippines may report cyber-enabled scams to appropriate law enforcement or cybercrime authorities. They may also seek help from the bank, e-wallet provider, remittance company, or platform used.

5. Consider filing a complaint

Depending on the amount and facts, the victim may consider filing a criminal complaint for estafa, cybercrime-related fraud, identity theft, or other applicable offenses.

6. Watch for recovery scams

After being scammed, victims are often targeted again by people claiming they can recover the money for a fee. These are often also scams.

A real recovery process does not begin with another stranger asking for another advance payment.

XIII. Evidence Needed for a Legal Complaint

For a stronger complaint, gather evidence showing:

The false representation made by the scammer.
The promise that money would be released after payment.
The victim’s reliance on that representation.
The payment made by the victim.
The account or wallet that received the payment.
The scammer’s identity or online identifiers, if known.
The damage suffered.
The use of internet, social media, email, e-wallets, or digital systems.

Helpful evidence includes:

Full screenshots with dates and account names visible.
URLs of profiles or websites.
Transaction receipts from banks, remittance centers, or e-wallets.
Account numbers and registered names.
Voice recordings, if lawfully obtained.
Emails with full sender details.
Fake certificates or receipts.
Proof that the supposed bank, courier, or sender is fake.
Any confirmation from a legitimate bank or company that no such transaction exists.

The more organized the evidence, the easier it is for authorities, banks, or lawyers to assess the matter.

XIV. Can the Victim Get the Money Back?

Recovery depends on how the payment was made, how quickly it was reported, and whether the recipient account can be identified and frozen.

A. Bank transfer

If the money was sent to a bank account, the victim should immediately contact the bank. Banks may investigate, but they do not automatically reverse transfers without legal basis or proper process. If funds remain in the receiving account, there may be a better chance of action.

B. E-wallet transfer

GCash, Maya, and similar platforms may investigate reported fraud. However, scammers often move funds quickly. Immediate reporting is important.

C. Remittance transfer

If the money was sent through a remittance center and has not yet been claimed, cancellation may be possible. Once claimed, recovery becomes harder.

D. Cryptocurrency

Crypto payments are especially difficult to recover because transfers are generally irreversible. Anyone demanding crypto as a release fee should be treated with extreme caution.

E. Cash deposit

Cash deposits to bank accounts or remittance payouts are difficult to recover unless authorities identify the recipient and funds remain traceable.

XV. Are Victims Liable for Participating?

A victim who honestly believed the transaction was real is generally treated differently from someone knowingly participating in illegal activity. However, victims should be careful.

Some scam stories involve suspicious facts, such as:

Receiving millions from a stranger.
Hiding cash in parcels.
Avoiding customs.
Using another person’s bank account.
Receiving funds for someone else.
Converting money for a foreign contact.
Allowing one’s account to be used as a pass-through account.
Withdrawing and sending money onward.

These can create legal risk. A person may unknowingly become a money mule if they receive, transfer, or withdraw funds for scammers. Even if the person was deceived, authorities may investigate the account activity.

Do not allow anyone to use your bank account, e-wallet, SIM, ID, or crypto wallet to receive and move money.

XVI. Money Mule Risk

A money mule is a person whose account is used to receive and move proceeds of fraud. Scammers may recruit mules through fake jobs, romance, commissions, or claims that their own account is unavailable.

Warning signs include:

“Receive money for me and keep a percentage.”
“Use your GCash because mine is blocked.”
“Withdraw the money and send it to another person.”
“Convert this money to crypto.”
“Open a bank account for this business.”
“Register a SIM or e-wallet for me.”
“Do not tell the bank what the transaction is for.”

This can expose the account holder to investigation, account freezing, blacklisting, civil claims, or criminal complaints.

XVII. Fake Documents Commonly Used

Scammers often send documents that look official. Common fake documents include:

Bank transfer certificates.
International money transfer receipts.
IMF certificates.
United Nations payment approvals.
World Bank fund release forms.
Customs clearance certificates.
Anti-money laundering certificates.
Anti-terrorism certificates.
Police clearance release letters.
Diplomatic delivery receipts.
Courier invoices.
Inheritance certificates.
Court orders.
Tax clearance forms.
Foreign lawyer letters.
Fake IDs and passports.
Fake employment contracts.
Fake checks.

These documents may contain logos, stamps, signatures, QR codes, and official-sounding language. Their appearance alone proves nothing.

Look for:

Grammar and spelling errors.
Generic names like “International Bank Department.”
Gmail or Yahoo contact addresses.
Unusual payment instructions.
Pressure to act immediately.
No verifiable office address.
Mismatched logos.
Strange fonts or formatting.
Incorrect legal terminology.
References to agencies that do not handle private remittances.

XVIII. Special Warning: Fake Checks and Overpayment

Sometimes a foreign buyer or client sends a fake check or fake bank confirmation and asks the Filipino recipient to pay a fee, refund an excess amount, or forward money to a shipper.

Even if a check appears to clear at first, it may later be reversed if fraudulent. The victim may be left owing the bank.

Do not refund, forward, or spend funds unless the bank confirms final settlement and the transaction is legitimate.

XIX. “But the Sender Says They Already Paid”

Scammers often say the sender already paid their part and the recipient must now pay the Philippine side. This can be false.

A real sender can usually provide:

A valid transaction reference.
A receipt from a known provider.
The exact sender name.
The exact recipient name.
The amount.
The date.
The official remittance channel.
A way for the recipient to verify directly.

If the sender refuses verification and insists you trust a third-party “agent,” that is suspicious.

XX. “Can the Fee Be Deducted from the Money?”

This is one of the best practical questions to ask.

If the supposed transfer is real and large, why can the fee not be deducted from the funds being released?

Scammers usually give excuses:

“The system does not allow deduction.”
“The money is frozen.”
“You must prove you can receive it.”
“It is required by law.”
“The certificate must be paid first.”
“The sender cannot pay it.”
“The bank needs your payment to activate the transfer.”

These are common scam answers.

While some real charges cannot always be deducted in every situation, a refusal to allow official verification or official payment is a serious warning sign.

XXI. The Role of Banks and E-Wallets

Banks and e-wallets are required to monitor suspicious activity and verify customers. However, they are also used by scammers because transfers are fast.

Victims should remember:

A bank account name appearing in a transfer screen does not prove the transaction is legitimate.
A verified e-wallet does not mean the recipient is trustworthy.
Scammers use accounts under real names, stolen identities, borrowed accounts, or mule accounts.
Sending money voluntarily may make reversal difficult.
Customer support reports should be made immediately.

When reporting, provide complete transaction details and clearly state that the payment was induced by fraud.

XXII. Platform Responsibility

Many scams begin on social media, dating apps, marketplaces, or messaging platforms. Victims should report the scammer’s account to the platform. This may help prevent further victims, although it may not recover funds.

Preserve evidence before reporting because the account may be deleted.

XXIII. Practical Verification Checklist

Before paying any fee to receive money from abroad, ask:

Was I expecting this money?
Do I personally know the sender?
Have I verified the transfer through an official bank or remittance channel?
Is the fee being paid to the institution’s official account?
Is there an official receipt?
Can the fee be deducted from the transfer?
Is the amount realistic?
Is there pressure, secrecy, romance, fear, or urgency?
Am I being asked for OTPs, passwords, IDs, or account access?
Are there repeated fees?
Is the supposed institution using an official domain and verified contact details?
Did I independently obtain the contact details, rather than relying on what the sender gave me?
Would this transaction make sense if explained to a bank officer, lawyer, or police investigator?

If the answers raise doubt, do not pay.

XXIV. Legal Characterization of the Scam

In Philippine legal terms, this conduct may involve one or more of the following:

Fraud.
Estafa.
Cyber-enabled estafa.
Identity theft.
Illegal access or misuse of electronic accounts.
Falsification, if fake documents are used.
Use of fictitious names or false identities.
Money laundering concerns, if fraud proceeds are moved through accounts.
Illegal recruitment, if connected to fake overseas employment.
Other special laws depending on the method used.

The exact charge depends on evidence and prosecutorial assessment.

XXV. Civil Liability

Aside from criminal liability, scammers may also be civilly liable for the amount taken, damages, and costs, if identified and sued. In practice, civil recovery is difficult when scammers are abroad, use fake identities, or move money quickly.

Still, identifying the receiving account can help trace the funds and persons involved.

XXVI. Jurisdiction Issues

Because these scams often involve foreign contacts, fake foreign institutions, or overseas phone numbers, victims may think Philippine authorities cannot act. But if the victim is in the Philippines, the payment was made from the Philippines, the account used is Philippine-based, or digital systems were accessed in the Philippines, local authorities may still have a basis to investigate.

The case may involve both local and foreign actors. Local account holders, mule accounts, recruiters, or accomplices may be within Philippine jurisdiction.

XXVII. Why Scammers Ask for Small Fees First

Scammers often begin with a manageable amount, such as ₱1,000, ₱3,500, or ₱5,000. After the victim pays, they request larger fees.

This is intentional. Once a victim has paid once, the victim may feel committed and continue paying to avoid “wasting” the first payment. This is known as sunk cost manipulation.

Common escalation pattern:

Processing fee.
Release fee.
Tax fee.
Clearance fee.
Penalty fee.
Delay fee.
Account upgrade fee.
Final transfer fee.
Lawyer fee.
Refund processing fee.

There is rarely a “final” fee.

XXVIII. Emotional Manipulation

Many victims are not careless. They are manipulated.

Scammers use:

Romance.
Sympathy.
Authority.
Fear.
Greed.
Urgency.
Shame.
Isolation.
Religious language.
Family emergencies.
Promises of marriage.
Claims of military deployment.
Claims of hospital confinement.
Claims of business crisis.

The law recognizes that deceit can operate through emotional pressure, not only through formal documents.

Victims should not be ashamed to report. Delayed reporting helps scammers.

XXIX. Special Note on OFWs and Families

Families of OFWs should establish safe remittance practices:

Use known remittance channels.
Share transaction references directly.
Agree on official communication channels.
Be suspicious of sudden messages from “agents.”
Confirm unusual requests through a phone or video call.
Do not rely on a new social media account claiming to be a relative.
Watch for hacked accounts.

If someone claims your OFW relative sent money but a fee is needed, contact the relative directly through a trusted number.

XXX. Special Note on Online Sellers

Online sellers in the Philippines are often targeted by fake foreign buyers. The buyer may claim to have paid through PayPal, Wise, bank transfer, or courier escrow. The seller receives a fake email saying payment is pending until shipping, insurance, or account upgrade fees are paid.

A seller should never ship goods or pay third-party fees based only on email screenshots. Check the actual account balance through the official app or website.

XXXI. Special Note on Freelancers

Freelancers should be careful when a supposed client refuses normal payment channels and asks them to pay to unlock payment. Legitimate clients pay invoices; they do not require workers to pay first to receive wages.

Red flags include:

Fake payment platform emails.
Requests to buy crypto.
Requests to pay a verification fee.
Overpayment followed by refund request.
“Business account upgrade” paid by the freelancer.
Payment confirmation not visible in the actual platform account.

XXXII. Special Note on Dating Apps

Romance scams often progress slowly. The scammer builds trust before introducing money. The supposed transfer may be framed as:

A gift.
Wedding funds.
Travel funds.
Hospital support.
Business investment.
A package of valuables.
Money for a house.
Money for visa processing.

A real romantic partner should not require repeated payments to release mysterious funds.

XXXIII. What Not to Do

Do not:

Pay the fee.
Pay another fee after already paying once.
Send OTPs or passwords.
Click links from the alleged bank.
Download apps sent by the scammer.
Allow remote access to your phone.
Send nude photos or compromising material.
Send your passport, UMID, driver’s license, national ID, or bank details to strangers.
Open accounts for someone else.
Receive money and forward it to another person.
Lie to banks or authorities about the transaction.
Borrow money to pay a release fee.
Ignore your suspicion because the scammer seems kind.

XXXIV. When a Fee Might Be Legitimate

A fee may be legitimate when:

It is charged by a known and licensed bank, remittance company, or e-wallet.
It is disclosed in the official app, branch, website, or receipt.
It is paid through official company channels.
The transaction is independently verifiable.
The amount is reasonable and consistent with published fees.
The recipient is not being pressured by a stranger.
There are no repeated or hidden charges.
The sender and purpose are legitimate.
The institution confirms the fee through official contact details.

Even then, the safest approach is to verify independently before paying.

XXXV. The Basic Rule

A useful rule is:

Do not pay money to receive money unless the fee is official, verifiable, reasonable, and charged by a legitimate institution through official channels.

Another practical rule:

If the supposed money is real, you should be able to verify it directly without paying a stranger first.

And another:

If every payment creates a new fee, it is almost certainly a scam.

XXXVI. Conclusion

In the Philippine context, paying a fee to receive money sent from abroad is often a scam when the fee is demanded by an unknown person, online contact, fake bank, fake courier, fake lawyer, fake customs officer, or supposed foreign institution before the money can be released.

Legitimate remittance fees exist, but they are normally transparent, official, and verifiable. Scam fees are vague, urgent, repeated, emotional, and usually paid through informal channels.

The safest legal and practical response is:

Do not pay first. Verify directly. Preserve evidence. Report immediately if money has already been sent.

A person who demands advance fees through deception may face liability for fraud, estafa, cybercrime-related offenses, falsification, identity theft, or other applicable violations, depending on the facts. Victims should act quickly, stop further payments, protect their accounts, and document everything.