Other Tourist Scams in Manila

Spa and Massage Overcharge Honey Trap

Touts in the Ermita and Malate entertainment districts direct male tourists to unlicensed massage parlors, quoting a low headline price for a standard massage. Once inside, staff escalate the service offerings with each stage, adding charges not disclosed upfront. The final bill is 5–10x the advertised rate, and staff or security become intimidating if the customer disputes it.