A Broke Expat in The Philippines' Story

[@tonytaylor880]

If he has 100s of thousands in 401K why is he worried about getting a job back home. I call bullsh-t!!!

[@chrisphillips9377]

With 100% sympathy, this does not pass the sniff test and I call BS.

[@HairyPixels]

So he had hundreds of thousands of dollars waiting for him but instead of going to back home to get it he waited until he ran out of cash and the visa expired? This is like that other injured Aussie guy who had free medical care waiting for him but he didn't feel like going home to get it and risked his life in ghetto local hospitals. Serious question, what's wrong with these people?

[@hokicoki]

Nothing wrong with them they just live their life and then get others to help them out.

[@StefanArpad-ll8sl]

They have mental problems...100%

[@bigjohnson7415]

Indeed.

[@keithd1219]

It seems like the majority of men that leave the US and want to live in SE Asia, move to the Philippines. God bless the Philippines 🇵🇭 🙏

[@d9918]

Because they aren't telling you the whole story.

[@almasexton6644]

I HOPE IM WRONG I BUT I SMELL A FISH.. ANYONE AGREE? HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ????????

[@44Todder]

I agree. I’m thinking the same thing. Too many red flags here.

[@hokicoki]

I had an email recently from somebody with millions tied up in gold bars in Nigeria.

[@almasexton6644]

@@44Todderyou know there are financial attorneys in usa that all you have to do is sign power of attorney to handle all legal affairs ,usa is not a third world country and almost any thing can be done ,I mean legally with the persons restrictions.

[@bobbiestephen6021]

Not buying this story 👀

[@lawman3966]

​@@hokicokiWell, don't keep us in suspense. What happened with the gold bars?

[@alliumguy]

It sounds like even Mark is struggling to believe the story. Smile and Nod, smile and Nod

[@paulfisher9527]

Yeah why he even post this garbage

[@dancode9738]

Dude never heard of online banking, and lost his bank account? They would give you lots of warnings and emails before closing your account. His retirement fund being locked off by the bank because he has no account. It's hard to understand but still plausible, but probably was preventable.

[@mymaria888]

Perhaps you do have to have a US address to maintain a bank account here in the US. But, didn't he say he has friends he can count on when he ultimately gets deported? It's hard to believe an American can live in the Philippines and never access his bank in 6 years. How much cash did he carry around with him since he couldn't have opened a bank account in the Philippines? Heck, at this point, I'm even questioning his account about contacting the "flesh eating" bacteria in his leg. Let's see the scar. Something that horrendous leaves at least one ugly scar. I've taken care of patients with this diagnosis. It's no joke! He should have shown his scar- for the full effect. If indeed he had necrotizing fasciitis in his leg, he would likely be eligible for SDI. If he didn't have hundreds of thousands of dollars in his 401K. At any rate, this American seems to be out on his luck. I hope he gets the help he needs. And if he's staying in the US, I hope he doesn't become a criminal or a drain in the society, if he's able to work.

[@billclarke3754]

I have lived abroad for years, opened US bank accounts and was approved for US credit cards on line, while living abroad. Expats should always have multiple bank accounts and ATM cards.

[@Niceguy54444]

That guy lie

[@peter-pg5yc]

agreed

[@FamilyManInParadise]

You are very right! Multiple accounts is a good idea. I've been doing that for 10 years.

[@MickSchwager-gu5wp]

Yep when I go I'm leaving with 2 bank accounts and 2 keycards with internet banking

[@violaceous7174]

I don't have any sympathy for this guy. Going to a country that has so much poverty and then become a burden is asinine. What he states doesn't pass the smell test. You go to a country to retire but don't setup a way to supposedly access your retirement and other financial accounts? The more videos I watch from expat vloggers the more I feel I need to avoid expats, so much drama, bums, and scammers.

[@MarkGray-u4i]

"I feel I need to avoid expats, so much drama, bums, and scammers..." Couldn't agree more.

[@johncarlson6472]

"The more videos I watch from expat vloggers the more I feel I need to avoid expats, so much drama, bums, and scammers." Yep, it's pretty obvious some of these guys are fleeing their home Country to get away from...their bad reputations back home.

[@FamilyManInParadise]

It's not that. He is just a dumbass and not being truthful.

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

Expats can be your worst enemy while overseas.

[@BigJack273]

Me too

[@KB-dm7nt]

Good interview Mark - there is more to this story than meets the eye! He seems reluctant to return to the USA.

[@robbo8888]

Exactly

[@ianbaptiste6388]

With this story I think the same there's more

[@Farmerbrown1653]

Probly on the run !!

[@user-hy3vp5kp1o]

@@bayareatanders Back child support and alimony will make a man overstay his visa every time..

[@UNKNOWN-un6nz]

amazing, just work and pay it off @@user-hy3vp5kp1o

[@jeremyking3986]

I’m not a math expert, but I can tell when something doesn’t add up🤔

[@enkibumbu]

A severe leg infection wiped him out completely? In the Philippines? It cost like $500k? Seriously?

[@randomsh-t917]

Dots don't connect. This guy is full of it.

[@stinky7020]

Agree, the avoidance of a lot eye contact is a red flag.

[@alexhung7158]

in the video they even mentioned that he knew the rep at the embassy... maybe they are able to see through his issues and found his case to not be convincing enough... who really knows. He could be telling the truth and isn't proud of what happened thus the avoiding the eye contact.

[@tonyacosta4783]

To much full around planing. First any. Move.

[@Chuck_Jordan_Philippines_Exp]

Certainly a cautionary tale. However, it's not difficult to open a US bank account online i.e. Chime. And, Wise will automatically give you a US account number and routing number that can be used to receive deposits when you open an account with them online. Most companies that administer a 401k have a process where you can cash out some or all of it. They email the form, you fill it out, get it notarized and send it back, then they deposit the funds to your account. You should be able to do that from the Philippines

[@toddeifert410]

@@jl909-nr5vx agree.

[@Franklin-x2o]

I'm setting up a bank account now my retirement checks will go in my account direct deposit and I use a debit card in Vietnam. No problem

[@Franklin-x2o]

Should always have your finances secure before you go overseas

[@MyLifeThai371]

It is so nice that the American Embassy takes care of American citizens in this man's situation. When "No Joke Howard" ran out of money and was all drugged up from his addiction to heavy narcotics in Cambodia, the American Embassy paid for his plane ticket back home and took his passport, until he paid them back for the plane ticket.

[@Michael-xg2hm]

Sounds like the best move

[@George-xe2ub]

Mark, first things first, get that man a 9-volt battery for his smoke detector!

[@tonybells131]

LOL

[@MarkGray-u4i]

I'm certainly no judge but... this guy's honesty meter is right up there with Paul Cardwell's honesty meter. Both are broken. His eyes shift faster than a new Ferrari. Hundreds of thousands in 401K? The only truth I sense from this guy is the fact he's overstayed his Visa by three years and what "legitimate" Expat does this? I'm guessing he has major legal issues pending in Boston that he has fled and perhaps still fleeing from. His "flesh eating disease" is possibly Karma at work on an overtime basis. Mark, in Dallas.

[@dagre1839]

Thought you began "I'm certainly no judge"???

[@PsyFiEye]

"His eyes shift faster than a new Ferrari." That line alone is worth a thumbs up.

[@enkibumbu]

Maybe he worked with Tony Soprano in waste management. Who knows?

[@FRANCISPOLLARD-r3p]

Funny comments.

[@robertv.7924]

He worked in the "waste and recycling business". From that point on, I kinda knew his story would be full of half-truths and obfuscations.

[@airplanebuilder8685]

code for "Waste Management".

[@PsyFiEye]

He certainly seems to know how to move BS.

[@lookissjaxin]

He collected cans.

[@Deadfoot-Dan]

🤣🤣🤣@@lookissjaxin

[@anneofgreengables1619]

Exactly my thoughts

[@touredjacked4167]

Tony Soprano always said he was in the waste management business..😮

[@CheckMate-g9u]

I've lived abroad in China for three years and the Philippines for two years then came back to the states. I don't know about this guy but during my travels I've seen many expats on the run from the justice system and couldn't go back home. This guy could have always gone the the usa embassy in Manila and they would have given him a ticket back home and why he didn't do it before all this time until now is beyond me. He would have to surrender his pass port until he paid the government back the money for the airline ticket.

[@Rich-pc6py]

This guy is a pathological liar and broke.

[@samual3006]

Like most Expats nothing unusual about that 😊

[@johnisom842]

Watching this guy there are so many indications of deception. When the true story comes out it will be a good one. Congratulations on the baby! 🎉

[@zentravel1515]

Great interview thanks Mark. Something just doesn't smell right with this guy's story, however I certainly wish him well as anyone can fall on hard times.

[@comanchewarrior3909]

💩💩💩

[@johnwriter8234]

Dude.. I live in Bacolod, i have a USA Bank Account..my pension goes there ANY USA bank you can access ANYwhere .I smell B.S!

[@bigjohnson7415]

Sounds like he did not set things up before going to the Philippines. To me, it seems having accounts access would be the FIRST thing you'd want even if only going for a few months.

[@stevetravels6160]

Yes sir, sounds like a child, not a grown man.😂

[@kevinluce5347]

How can I post a comment? It only allows me to reply. I have a pertinent comment to make that may everyone think.

[@klausschumacher7126]

If he has hundreds of thousands of USD in his social welfare account I am as rich as Elon Musk.....😂😂😂😂. I know a similar guy many years ago and everything he said was built on excuses and untruths.... If you overstay 36 months there is something wrong with you...

[@imveryhungry112]

honestly im not sure if its true either (the large sum in the 401k). I really cant foresee a US bank not working with you to access your 401k just because your living in the phillipines.

[@Once800-]

Gotta cough up the dough!

[@theglobalvagabond3074]

Something is not adding up. Once again, many problems that people run into are self inflicted. Overstaying a visa, running out of money for healthcare in a country that has ultra cheap costs, no access to 401k, not understanding how to fill out a US job application. Sorry, but he needs to reevaluate several things across his entire ecosystem of decision making. Mark you're a great person doing great work. Thank you.

[@frankshewmake9753]

Mark, I am a skeptic of all hard luck stories, so I only ask, if I may, did you verified his story. Sorry, but there seem to be a few red flags I am hearing.

[@merlytecq7875]

I don't really believe this man

[@samkoskinen]

Good stuff Mark pushing back on some of the responses. Plenty of people in worse situations then this guy as you pointed out. To be honest seems like a lot more to the story. I have plenty of mates back home who I would help out and would help me out especially if I could guarantee payment on arrival. Seems like the guy has burnt a few too many bridges. Good luck to him is all I can say.

[@charlesjames4956]

Totally agree with you that it seems like there are more details that he is not revealing. Like on the subject of why he can not open a bank account in PI. Like why he would have chosen to simply overstay the visa - for 3+ years - rather than do what other people do, leave the country, come back and get a new visa? My strong suspicion is he has legal and/or unpaid debt problems in the USA, like unresolved divorce issues, or in arrears on court ordered child support, things like that. Seems like he could not go back to the USA no matter what, even to the point of being destitute in PI while (according to him) he has a 401K in the USA worth 'hundreds of thousands'. There is something waiting on him in the USA, that he was hoping to do an end-run on by disappearing in Asia for 10-20 years, but the disease he caught threw a wrench into his plans. Karma is a b**** sometimes.

[@vinces.3860]

I totally agree. Things don't add up. If MANY people have helped him out to the tune of $10k-$15k, why didn't he fly back to US and cash out those certificates of deposit and the 401k worth100's of thousands of dollars? Yes, there must be something negative awaiting him when he steps on US soil.

[@stevesilver7437]

100% full of crap! Can’t even stand listening to the guy 😂

[@MrRide2k]

I hate to hear of somebody being so down and out however, David is a college educated businessman, waste disposal business he says, and he allowed himself to get into this fix? Like others, I think there must be much more to the story. You remember, Paul, who turned out to be nothing like the story he gave you when you interviewed him. Anyway, I don’t like to see anybody down and out and hope that he can get back to the states and sort out his thorny mess.

[@AstrospiritualAtheist]

​@@Catomar74I get that about him too. You can see it in his face. He doesn't look trustworthy. He seems like a very slick character to me.

[@alowens9000]

His story sounds fishy. This was his own doing.

[@amgooder]

🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟

[@ernestconnell8087]

Waste disposal/recycling industry, does that mean garbage collector? 🤔

[@familyoffive5212]

What i did when we visited in the Philippines is i have my WISE account set up and my bank connected to it. My brokerage account is also connected to my banks. When we bought a condo and needed the funds, i just transferred the funds from brokerage to Bank of America,then use wise to transfer to my Philippine bank and that’s it.

[@toddeifert410]

Yep, not a big deal at all!

[@enkibumbu]

Correct. And you leave with at least 3 US bank accounts and brokerage account in case things get dicey.

[@cgheorgh]

For a very large amount transfer, did it go straight through or did you have to call Wise before or after the transfer to ensure that the funds will go through? Also on the Philippines side (bank) did they give you a hard time about "source of funds" and other such questions? Thanks.

[@darryl.c7972]

If you overstayed 3 years here in Thailand, you would be deported and blacklisted for 10 years! how does someone not know to renew your visa once a year! Ashamed of my fellow Bostonian..

[@enkibumbu]

There's more to the story. Maybe the fiancé took all his funds. Who knows?

[@rostamklint6778]

They dont pay your ticket home. Thailand have alot of people stuck there who cant get home. But still.. this guy is fishy as fck!

[@marvindockery-lo9cw]

Lots of immigration offices closed during covid and lock downs. Easy to over stay from 2021 and 2022

[@seattle40]

he wants sympathy.. Not from me...

[@anneofgreengables1619]

You would get deported within 3 months here in Finland.

[@HoofHearted_Eh]

Philippines should start getting stricter in screening expats coming to the country to "retire". There's too many of these people ending up with no access to financial support.

[@swagman491]

I think there might be a little BS going on here. If he wanted to go home, there are ways. Loser?

[@jdmac8455]

Exactly this guys story is BS.

[@slicknickbangers]

Lots of people running from the law hiding out in SEA

[@quantomic1106]

There is more to this story. You can access your 401K overseas and the PI is no different. Even if that's the case, why didn't he set it up knowing he got "hundreds of the thousands" in there. There are lots of ways to prevent banks from closing your account. He said it's because of the address problem but also said that he has a lot of friends in Boston. He couldn't use one of his friend's addresses?

[@Chris-gi9ch]

I'm glad the Philippine government didn't jail him, but overstaying 3 years without extending/paying is damn disrespectful if you ask me? I mean really.......And then it seems odd that he literally can't find someone who will get him a one-way to SFO? Strange........

[@tangobear3536]

"I was paying for her college." So, this dude's north of 60, and the girl was maybe 20, so that's a 40+ years difference. LOL! He thought that would work?! And paying for the family? Strange dude; no mystery why he wasn't Chad in USA. "Couple hundred thousand" is totally vague. Is it 200k or 800k? Big difference. Can't access it? He's one big red flag.

[@rayb3000]

Owe? Owe who?? Oh uh yeah them. lol. He didnt seem really happy that Mark was going to fix him up with the right people and plan. Were we hoping for a GoFundMe or a Paypal donation? I am sooo destitute!

[@socalbenny4728]

I doubt that he has hundreds of thousands of dollars in his 401K, if he even has one. They should throw him in jail for violating immigration laws.

[@everymanhasastory]

He's been deported. I don't believe he has a 401k either

[@craiggallup5706]

​@@everymanhasastoryAha. He's lucky to dodge jail.

[@rcardoosuna6491]

He has hundreds of thousands of dollars, and yet he is destitute? Something smells a bit fishy about his story.

[@mikem3789]

Yes, it doesn’t add up. Obviously his ‘friends’ back home know something we don’t.

[@comanchewarrior3909]

🐂

[@comanchewarrior3909]

💩

[@rodfast8196]

Ya think? 😂

[@seay302]

When all the money is gone, love flies out the window!

[@barrycohen311]

Cash is king in the Philippines. I lived there for a year in 2006. Transferring money from my US Bank account to my Philippine bank was a crazy drama. I wound up flying back to the USA for a week, and travelled back there with $50,000 US dollars of my savings. If you travel with more that $10,000 in cash, you have to declare it to US Customs, which I did. They were pretty cool about it. I had to tell them I'm a software engineer and I took it out of my savings account.

[@jshepard152]

I wonder if times have changed. Lots of people seem to do it with minimal difficulty.

[@barrycohen311]

@@jshepard152 I think you are right. Easier nowadays. There is an online bank called WISE. Bad azz. Can transfer from anywhere to anywhere. It's an online global banking account. Totally legit. Founded by the first employee of Skype.

[@nicnez6]

I have a coworker in the fishing boat that died 2017 from hanging there in dumaguete, we can't believe that he would do that to his self, it's very suspicious.

[@doubanjiang]

He can get an emergency repat loan from the embassy that would get him home. It’s not hard.

[@enkibumbu]

True. A friend did that.

[@tobywebb6452]

Great interviewing Mark 👍 For me, this guy's story just doesn't add up. If you overstay your visa then the usual course of action is to be deported

[@robbo8888]

That's what I was thinking

[@JR-vs1zl]

Who is paying when your broke. Not phillipines

[@mobilemoke-ne2gr]

Yep he’s got some Pinoy puntang holding him there😮

[@henrymcmiller2527]

@@mobilemoke-ne2gr 👍🏿

[@fred8565]

His, Storey is not believable. I thing he is full of crap

[@VyiUmad]

Somebody get this man some smoke detector batteries ffs!

[@George-xe2ub]

Exactly! first things first!

[@scottie934]

I had to live with that for a couple of days once and I was climbing the walls.

[@rlwings]

Is it me or does this guy come across like a bit of a con artist? - There's just something about his energy that sets off my "Don't trust this guy" alarm! LOl. :)

[@joeldchenoweth]

I felt the same as you

[@toddeifert410]

Cannot understand how someone would not be able to access their 401K when out of the US. 401K's are setup for retired individuals so they may travel and live outside the US without issues of restricted access. Perhaps it may be because of not having a bank within the US. If that is the problem, one may setup a bank account in the US when living in a foreign country. Use the address of a relative or friend. When asked for ID, use your passport. It's not a difficult task.

[@seattle40]

I just drew out of mine last month... all bullshit...@@lymartin298

[@trosenvinge]

Flesh eating bacteria is a serious business, it can kill you. He got into trouble due to the hospital bill and then the pandemic also made his return to his homeland difficult, so don't be so hard and judge him, anyone can get into that situation!

[@JamesIsHereRightNow]

Actually, I left the Philippines in July 2020 - smack dab in the middle of the pandemic and related lockdowns. The Philippines was encouraging we foreigners to leave the country during that period and did not stand in our way.

[@bigbearhugebear9018]

I flew home from the PI after 10 months of covid..I just bought a ticket and flew home. No excuse not paying for your visa for 3 years

[@PInk77W1]

He overstayed his visa. No excuse to mess around with a foreign country

[@georgeacenas2349]

So when the research on flesh eating disease was looked up, it occurs in warm brackish water. So near river outlets, places after storms where fresh water mixes with salt water. We divers and snorkelers have to be wary when a recent storm has passed. Standing water is usually the red flag. Maybe there are salinity tests out there. So I could be wrong, normal ocean saltiness OK, when. It gets less salty, be leary. Bacteria grows in fresh water. I recall warm lake amoebas brain infection incidents stateside. You get the idea. Choosing the snorkeling, dive sites carefully wherever, what's that saying...plan your dive. It happens out here stateside in the Southeast. That's my 2 cents.

[@rafaelcastillo2636]

Magandag Umaga Po! Right before the Rona started, I landed at Mactan January of 2020. I never left the island for 6 months due to the LGUs so restrictive. I had a memorandum, from the USA embassy. Basically said to the PHs Gov. Not to empede the travel of USA citizen to reach his, her destination. The gentleman chose to stay in the Philippines. Although, could of cost him his life. I know for a fact, a lot of Foreigners died, not being able to get proper medical care. Mabuhay, Saludos from somewhere in Mexico.

[@nelsonsack2694]

Are you kidding me? This guy had hundreds of thousands of dollars back in the states but he can’t even scratch together a couple grand to fly back home. I smell bullshit.

[@tramlink8544]

couple grand? its like 600 bucks

[@WayneAnthony-w1t]

Something is not right with this guy named Dave. To me, he’s one of those people that can BS people while keeping a straight face. Believe me, there are many people just like him. I’m not judgmental, but I have a very inquisitive mind and am pretty good a reading body language.

[@mwaynerowe4782]

Guy sold everything and used up the money instead of flying home with the money. He's grifting off of people when he should already have left. No sympathy here. Every problem he has he created himself.

[@preciousmetals9956]

There's a good chance he has to stick to the story with holes in it for the sake of the friends who are supporting him at the moment. By coming clean people who have lent money to him could start to worry about getting paid back. Just hope he does the right thing

[@just_facts9713]

His eyes tell the story..this is pure scam..

[@Matthias-pg6ot]

Foreigners can no longer open a bank account in the Philippines unless they have permanent residence visa. This rule was ordered by the Philippine Central Bank fairly recently...less than 2 years ago. It's an absolute travesty and hardship for those of us who wish to stay here for longer term. Unbelievable but its true.

[@BigGerrysfoodreviews]

First I have heard of this one. Not good news

[@FRANCISPOLLARD-r3p]

Not true. False.

[@dalelittlefield57]

It's scary to think how fast life can go from sun shine + rainbows to a total shit show. mark give us an update on the repatriation process. Good luck David.

[@Niceguy54444]

Fast? He stayed here for years

[@user-ov5nd1fb7s]

He is acting and talking suspicious. I don't believe his story.

[@LEObondTraveller]

Wow! Eight months of financial support to live in a foreign country ... Can you introduce me to your friends!

[@1971shovelhead]

I dunno Mark, 1+1= 3 with this guy…something not adding up

[@iMeMyself60]

It’s very easy to withdraw your 401K. I got mine in less than a week. All he needs to do is call your previous employer. They will give you a form. Send it to together with the Apostilled Notarized SPA to your family member. The proceeds will be sent to your bank or in check.

[@FamilyManInParadise]

Great interview! This gives a dose of reality to the guys who have fallen for the pipedream that other expat youtubers sell

[@user-qd8wf4qv7k]

Hundreds of thousands equates to maybe 200k. He will burn through that in 2-3 years moving back to the U.S.

[@bigjohnson7415]

Depends. I live on less than 1.5k a month, but my house is paid off, and the majority of my expenses are Property Tax's and Car and house Insurance.

[@quackersna]

Let's just scratch snorkeling off my to-do list.

[@ericd1084]

You can cash your checks with your American bank by taking a photo of it. I've done it from outside of the county. You only need a phone and the banking app. Hasn't he thought of that? Story sounds a bit fishy if you ask me. Get an online job. I did that from outside the country too. You can also get an emergency loan from the embassy. My friend did that.

[@hokicoki]

Half a story for sure.

[@jdmac8455]

He’s 90% BS. Red flags every minute in this guys story

[@Kevins-Philippine-Retirement]

As a Canadian expat here in the Philippines, I am astonished with how many of my American friends have so much trouble getting their money from the US. For such an advanced country, the government pension services and the banks are far behind what they are in Canada. In Canada there are only 5 big banks, and I mean BIG as each bank has many thousands of branches. Their services are very extensive. The Canadian Government also provides extensive services for expats. For example, they convert my pension into PHP at prime rate and deposit directly into my PNB Philippine bank. There are no service fees of any kind. My Canadian expat friends here in the Philippines have the same experience. Canadian banks freely accommodate expats, allowing easy cheap money transfers, accepting foreign addresses and phone numbers, so dealing with them as an expat is very easy.

[@henryvanderbeek2973]

As a Canadian thinking about moving there, I'm very happy to hear that...

[@towboattrash]

Something ain’t right here….embassy should loan him a one way ticket and $100. How can you not have access to your 401? I call BS

[@everymanhasastory]

The Embassy repatriated him back to America

[@servicesofmontgomery]

Waste & recycling? What’d he do? Pick up beer cans from the trash?

[@oncall21]

Moral of the story is ensure you are covered for any event as much as possible. Hoping for the best and holding your breath never works. I hope he can get himself home like he should have a long time ago. Too many excuses but I wish him well.

[@everymanhasastory]

Moral of the story DONT OVERSTAY YOUR VISA!

[@nld8985]

I came to comment and saw literally everyone else commenting the same thing 😂😂

[@jdmac8455]

I am calling BS. “Hundreds of Thousands of dollars in a 401k”. Why did you not go home years ago. ??

[@kennca8]

Mark, Schwab has an International Acct Solutions team. It is a different group of specialists than those dealing with domestic US accounts for those traveling on a more temporary basis. Best wishes.

[@napoleonmdusa8877]

I looked into this 6 months ago. the Schwab International Account requires one to have $25k invested, which should not be a problem for most Americans with investments with a broker. However, Schwab was OK with me getting and using a Schwab International Account if I was living in Malaysia or Thailand and a few other foreign countries--oddly enough, the Philippines was NOT one of those countries, so I could not reside there and still trade US stocks. I'm hoping with the US Military bases opening again that this issue will get resolved soon.

[@MichaelBuck]

While that sounds great, Schwab is going down the tubes fast so I dont trust them anymore!

[@enkibumbu]

​@@MichaelBuck Unlikely.

[@kennca8]

Update: In speaking with Schwab today, they relayed the Philippines is not on their permissible country list, meaning, if someone lives in the PH more than 6 months + 1 day during a year and they find out, they can put an account in liquidation status (if I understood correctly). So, Schwab does not appear to be a good long term strategy for those desiring to make the PH a permananet home. Best advice for those with Schwab or those considering Schwab, contact Schwab directly if you plan to retire and move permanently to the PH. Best regards.

[@napoleonmdusa8877]

@@kennca8 Yep! This is exactly what I was told by Schwab, including the 6 months limit and liquidation (which is scary since that means they "cash out" your IRAs & send you a check which causes a massive tax hit). I'd like to know how they'd know someone is out of the country for more than 6 months (IRS hears from immigration and informs Schwab?). What is so shocking is that Thailand & Malaysia are INCLUDED in the permissible country list! I've started looking into a different broker (Interactive Brokers) that I've heard about but don't know yet if they'll work out better. I think the problem is only if one trades stocks while living in the Philippines for more than 6 months--having a fiduciary for your Schwab accounts that can initiate IRA distributions and send them to a separate checking account should work ok but managing your own trading seems to be a problem. This makes me reconsider retiring in the Philippines and instead select Thailand.

[@bretmoleta1860]

And the test results are back and the test proves sir "You Are A Liar!" (Mark how did you keep a straight face)

[@Franklin-x2o]

Something isn't right,I got him going to the Philippines with every dime he had and thinking it would last him the rest of his life,and ran out.

[@stanleytappen9821]

Yes thats the story, 20 seconds into the video and figure out this dude is a conman

[@silverfox2957]

He is looking away when answering questions, a guy with hundreds of thousands cannot get the price of a flight together. How would someone with money like he mentioned overstay. Sounds like someone wants to talk to him in the usa maybe his bank accounts have been frozen for whatever reason, He is running from something.

[@MARINE-c1r]

I AM CALLING BS ON THIS MAN

[@GoodComms]

I feel some key details to his story may have been surpressed for personal reasons and they would have explsined the real reasons. You gave him the best advice. Get home and clean up the situation.

[@johnwriter8234]

This guy EFFED-up! Get INFORMATION!

[@GoodComms]

@@johnwriter8234Thanks John - do you have that info?

[@owengore3221]

I wouldn’t give this guy a dime, something not right 😅

[@retiredcryptohunter9031]

You can access anything if you use a VPN. I’m calling BS on his story and I am seeing too many people coming here without a retirement check coming in. I’ve been here for almost 2 years and before I left the US I called my banks and explained that I was moving to the Philippines and both of my bank accounts have my Philippines address and I even received mail from my banks at my address here in the Philippines. I just turned 47 and I’m a veteran so I receive my monthly retirement income as well as my VA disability and there is no way I would move to another country without having a retirement check coming in. It seems like it’s always the ones who aren’t old enough to collect social security and who don’t have a retirement income who fail here. It’s also these people who cause issues for us who have actually retired here and are starting a new life. They come over here and throw money around like it’ll never run out and it gives an impression that us foreigners have endless amounts of money so we get charged the foreigner rate. One big example is the price for land nowadays which has skyrocketed because these guys come here and throw money at these girls who buy property and then leave their foreigner.

[@Vibren596]

I hope he can be helped ... thank you for helping me you are an angel

[@gobfranklin6759]

Great topic Mark. A good warning for people going to PI. I hope the best for him but it seems like going back to the US will allow him to re-group. All the best.

[@ravendrangovender2250]

hard to believe that family cannot buy him a ticket back home...

[@joelawrence56]

exactly!

[@fineartist7710]

He seems intelligent, but it does not make sense the situation he is in, for an intelligent man to get into. But, the answer is, as he stated, that he had a girlfriend in the Philippines, and that's the rub. Be careful with that one dudes, it's a spider web that is almost impossible to get out of.

[@everymanhasastory]

He was an alcoholic. The Embassy repatriated him back to America

[@rudolphjoseph4159]

Being destitute in the Philippines can happen to anyone, even someone visiting the Philippines who was born and raised in the Philippines. I believe that most enlightened people will humble themselves and acknowledge unplanned events may wipe out savings. No one is more creative or more intelligent than the average person, for we have been, all of humanity, endowed with moments of short-sightedness, incompetence, and foolish behavior. This person's tale is a cautionary story. The Philippines is a great place, except for having a welfare state like Westernized Countries. If someone fails, they are responsible for the consequences.

[@everymanhasastory]

Agreed. The U.S Embassy repatriated him back to America. He was able to access his money and he's paid everyone bsck. Including the government

[@billyhorton5779]

The part about paying for his girlfriends tuition and supporting her family should be two big redflags! Not keeping your visa up to date is serious stuff, no matter what country you are visiting. Professional Filipino pool player, Dennis Orcollo, over stayed his visa last year and is banned from entering the US for five years. Simply no excuse, immigration can make your life miserable. Honesty and truth are rare quality's in americans these days.

[@Farmerbrown1653]

Not just Americans it’s all kinds of people scamming

[@PierreontheRun]

His dog knows the true story that's why he is barking all the time

[@johnmartin7158]

lol, got ya. 💯✅🇳🇿

[@David-w5g5o]

You don't plan to fail, you fail to plan.

[@seanbyrne2220]

Haven't watched the channel for A while but the content is still brilliant

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you 😊

[@stuartfrenchy4400]

I am 6000 miles away from this guy. But even from here I can smell the BULL shit …. ugh🤣

[@larsandresson3459]

Thank u so much Mark for this intresting program .I need to set up all things now

[@davidv.2050]

This is a very quirky story. I have a VPN so I always have access to my accounts. And if I was leaving USA for good I would have made arrangements to acquire an address through a mail service so banks and brokerages wouldn’t close my account. David should use his expertise in construction to start a business building homes in the Dumaguette/Dauin area.

[@napoleonmdusa8877]

I tried to get an address through a mail service all set up for when I sell my house and move to the Philippines. That didn't work with my Schwab broker due to them requiring a utility bill (i.e. electric bill) with my name and mail-service address on it for proof of my domicile (residency) location which just isn't possible since I won't have a utility bill of any kind from those places.

[@anandvora4481]

Some banks know you're using a VPN and deny online access. In such cases, I've had success using phone banking.

[@davidv.2050]

@@anandvora4481 never had that happen to me in 10 years of using a VPN.

[@davidv.2050]

@@napoleonmdusa8877 one reason to switch brokers I guess.

[@napoleonmdusa8877]

Regarding having an address provided by a mail service--my Charles Schwab broker has informed me that using that won't work since they'll know it's not a "real" house/apartment address location. Also, on Schwab's website, to sign up for their service or to change your address (i.e. to a mail service address), they'll want you to provide a utility bill (i.e. electric) with your name on it and address (your mail service address) and that is just not possible. I'm still looking into this to find a work around for when I sell my house and move permanently to the Philippines.

[@generrandu1643]

If he has hundreds of thousands of dollars in the States why he waited to be drained out of money, and overstayed , he knows the rule in every country even in Canada or States if you are visitor you apply visa extension to stay

[@perplexed6088]

Dont understand how a person overstay in the PH. I went there for a 2 weeks vacation and ended up returning home sooner. It was just too much for me. Too crowded and polluted. I'm sorry to say that.

[@waterheaterservices]

I have been to the Philippines several times, each time I go I like it less and appreciate the USA more. If not for the people I know in Philippines, I would not go anymore.

[@marciabarreto780]

Bless your heart for helping these people❤🙏

[@riadmatar5005]

I smell scammers 101 when he talks about his 401K. But nothing wrong if you get sick and you your cash run out because you don’t have any control over it. And getting help nothing wrong with it. But to claim you have all the money in your 401k and you are taking other people money I call it scam. But before he runs out of money he should be on the first flight back home to take care of his health and what he is claiming all the money in his savings 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️. The thing I feel his story doesn’t add up because his smarter to get in deep trouble financially but sometimes the scammers are smart enough to take advantage of other good people. I hope his story true but show me the money and talk about being rich cost him nothing.

[@gibblespascack1418]

Banks don't close your account unless if it is considered a dead account. So if you have not contacted the bank or institution in 3 years, or performed any activity in the account, they consider it abandoned. Hence a dead account. Then the bank does not take your money, they have to send it to the state who will have a website. If you contact the state, they will give you, or your relative the money after a period of time. So, he needs to contact the bank and the state that the money was sent to. Once back in the states, he can get things moving again. Like Paul has said, have multiple ways to move money to the Philippines.

[@HG-zm2dx]

Sounds suspicious!! Something not right. Hopefully, he’s just not fooling around anyone.

[@Puzian]

If this fellow wasn't interested in marrying a local Filipina woman, then why didn't he just apply for a SRRV (Special Resident Retiree's Visa), stay legal, open his bank account, get access to PhilHealth, and all that? There is something not right here with this guy. By the way, in the TV series "The Sopranos", Tony Soprano also tells people that he was in the waste disposal and recycling business.

[@everymanhasastory]

Because he's alcoholic

[@mikekinsella2822]

Guy grew up in Boston and California. He never had a chance in life. Poor guy.

[@tombkk1322]

What’s wrong with Boston and California?

[@mikekinsella2822]

@@tombkk1322 both places are full of liberials.

[@tombkk1322]

@@mikekinsella2822 i suppose your a Republican?

[@CafeNervoza]

It's hard to get a bank account here even with an ACR, from my experience at least. If the card says "tourist" then I think it's almost impossible without connections. However, GCash, Maya, PalawanPay are semi-decent workarounds/substitutes.

[@Stormravens]

Umm...I got a landbank account, both usd and peso, on a tourist visa. It's a government owned bank, open to just about anyone. They also have the lowest amount required to keep in the account (500php) of all the banks.

[@HG-zm2dx]

@@Stormravens That is correct.

[@Stormravens]

@@theydontknow9260 Landbank of the Philippines. Not the best hours, but great service. They're also on social security's approved list.

[@paulthurson]

@@theydontknow9260 very interested to know this as well

[@theydontknow9260]

You can open a PNB (Phil Natl Bank) account in the states and receive ATM cards before you leave U.S. (processing time 4-6 weeks) and change your address when you arrive in PH or add it to the account in the beginning if you already know it. Then you're set up before you get there and no visa required. You can also open a CitiGold global bank account here and likewise get your plastic cards before you go overseas. Unlike normal banks, no U.S. address required by Citi when you settle in PH.

[@johnwriter8234]

Dude, am very skeptical of this guy..he EFFED up...I am retired military ...I have pension ...you did NOT do your research !

[@Danielroams]

I don't think he's telling you his whole story. It doesn't add up. This video should be titled every man tells a partial story. I don't feel sorry for him. He says he has funds he can't access. Bulls**t.