Bullet scam.

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all the advice. I am almost all set for my trip to Ati Atihan/Coron/Manila! Last question!

I have been reading about the bullet scam at the airport. I was wondering how often and where it happens, and any common strategies to avoiding it.

I heard that it happens at check in, as your bag is being screened, they slip the bullet in. Is that it? Or is it done behind the scenes at the terminal?

I was planning to buy a new suitcase. The hard side kind, with no additional outer pockets or zippers. Essentially just a box with a TSA lock. I figure that the only way to get a bullet in then is to pry open the actual main zipper line. But that would be too obvious. Don't need to make my bag completely break in proof. Just so that the scammer moves on to the next bag.

I also heard to NEVER touch the bullet. I plan to bring latex surgical gloves.

I am also trying to find a notebook/ipad case that is lockable and has no outer pockets/zippers. That's harder to find.

Thoughts?

As big_jim says. The scam has become so well-known now, with huge media publicity, a Senate committee enquiry, one mayor threatening to make the scammers eat the bullets, comments by the President, etc, it would seem very unlikely that anyone would try this scam now.

But it is possible to get into a locked bag via the zipper and then close the zipper without leaving an obvious trace. This video shows just how easy it is: Opening locked bags.

As a result many people are wrapping duct tape securely around the zipper areas, so it would be obvious if someone broke in. Others are having their bags completely covered in plastic wrap at the airport they are departing from.

Personally I'm happy to put luggage through with just a lock, but it depends on your own comfort levels how far you want to go securing your bags.

Tens of millions of people pass through Manila's airports every year. The chances of you being hit by lightning are considerably higher than having a the bullet placed in your bag by anyone. For me I've travelled through MNL most months of the year for over 10 years. Never had a tampering problem. I don't even bother locking my check-in bag anymore because:
1. There's nothing in it I'm not prepared to lose. (It's a check-in item - I might never see it again)
2. There's not a luggage lock invented which can't be opened in a matter of seconds by anyone with the right skills and equipment.
3. I'm fed up with shoddy baggage handling breaking the locks and damaging the zips.
4. All my other stuff is in my carry-on which doesn't leave my sight except to go through X-Ray machines which in the case of Manila are probably not working anyway.

Latex surgical gloves and secure i-pad cases? OP - you need to chill mate, buy decent travel insurance and enjoy your holiday.

Reading is a health hazard.

Seeing as you appear to be American, it might be an idea to check your bags just in case a stray bullet found its way into one if them.

Some guy got arrested in CDO last month with a disassembled gun in his bag. According to reports, he seemed to think that just because it was all in different pieces, with no ammunition and nd not all in one and ready to fire, then that didn't matter.

I thought about bringing latex gloves to Philippines too to avoid touching bullets, but instead I'm just going to put super glue all over my fingertips on my way to the airport.

Tens of millions of people pass through Manila's airports every year. The chances of you being hit by lightning are considerably higher than having a the bullet placed in your bag by anyone. For me I've travelled through MNL most months of the year for over 10 years. Never had a tampering problem. I don't even bother locking my check-in bag anymore because:
1. There's nothing in it I'm not prepared to lose. (It's a check-in item - I might never see it again)
2. There's not a luggage lock invented which can't be opened in a matter of seconds by anyone with the right skills and equipment.
3. I'm fed up with shoddy baggage handling breaking the locks and damaging the zips.
4. All my other stuff is in my carry-on which doesn't leave my sight except to go through X-Ray machines which in the case of Manila are probably not working anyway.

Latex surgical gloves and secure i-pad cases? OP - you need to chill mate, buy decent travel insurance and enjoy your holiday.

I may be overreacting a little, but if it isn't too hard to make preparations, then why not? I just bought a new hardcase carry on with no zippers for $80. Its Xmas time, prices are low. That was easy. Finding a backpack or laptop case without any pockets or zippers, that's harder.

And BTW, that whole "I have been doing this for ten years and nothing has ever happened to me" is a BS argument. Those are just famous last words . Ask anyone who was ever mugged or raped. No one ever thinks, god forbid, that something could happen to THEM. After all, they are careful and smart ones. OP. You don't have to be paranoid, but keeping your eyes open and taking small measures helps.

If the locals are worried about it, then I am. Google it. Look at all the online newspaper articles about it. They mostly dated in the last month.

#7... I'm old enough to rememeber when sex was safe and flying was dangerous... I've been through more dodgey airports than you've had posts in your Facebook page and I've never been mugged or raped in any of them as far as I can recall.

However in situations where bodily harm is a possibility I can assure you I am fully capable of exercising the appropriate level of awareness and taking the correct measures - and not through reading internet articles..

Thanks for the advice - it's a privilege to take travel tips from somebody with latex gloves and nice case.

Always funny to hear people brag, troll and talk big on an ONLINE ANONYMOUS forum. You are such a man.

Things are looking up around here. There hasn't been dickheads like that posting, for ages.

You don't seem happy that nobody agrees with your assessment that it is unsafe

Most people who reply to questions on this forum are people with years of real life experience travelling within, in and out of the Philippines.

If that is not the experience you were seeking, you should try posting elsewhere.

No I just don't appreciate snarky replies that insinuate that you are being an idiot.

OP - I don't think you need any insinuations from anyone here son... weren't you the poster who was quite happy to be walking around Pasay at midnight looking for a money changer to save a few PHP compared to the Airport? Hmmm.. (bolomd51 Decision - Low Risk) ... But Bullets in Bags from those fiends in MNL is considered worthy of forensic precautions (bolomd51 Decision - High Risk.)

You ask for advice on stuff you've already made up your mind on and when you don't get the answers you want you ignore them.

Good luck with your life and enjoy your travels.

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