A Filipina vlogger based in Abu Dhabi has revealed that she lost eight years’ worth of savings in an alleged scam involving a café investment. Mary Margarete “Em” Serrano, who has over 81,000 followers on her vlog, disclosed in a tearful post that she was deceived by someone she trusted deeply.
@emserrano_vlog Na SCAM ako ng 37,000AED o 584,600 pesos dito sa ABU DHABI. Mag ingat kayo sa mga scammer!! #SCAMMER #abudhabi #emserranovlog #investmentscam #vlogger #scammersaabudhabi #scammerph #fakeinvestment ♬ original sound – Em Serrano🇦🇪🇵🇭
The 33-year-old from Magalang, Pampanga, recounted how she was convinced to invest AED37,000 in a café that was reportedly earning between AED60,000 and AED100,000 per month. “Ang sabi niya kumikita raw yung café ng AED80,000 to AED100,000 per month, kaya na-encourage talaga ako na mag-invest,” Serrano shared a GMA Integrated News report. However, she later discovered the café had been sold without her knowledge, and no profits were forthcoming.
@emserrano_vlog Replying to @ricardo pasensya na po kung hindi halatang na Scam ng 37,000AED ha! Next time mag video po ako ng nag iiyak iyak pako at hinahigh blood. Pasensya na po.😢 #scam #scammer #scammeralert #abudhabi #emserranovlog ♬ original sound – Em Serrano🇦🇪🇵🇭
Serrano, who works as a school nurse, explained that her investment and the money for her friend’s visa fees, totaling AED37,000, were part of her savings accumulated over eight years from her work as a vlogger, commercial model, and brand endorser. “Parang gumuho ang mundo ko. Maliit lang po suweldo ko as school nurse. Saktong pang padala lang sa Pinas at pambayad ng bahay,” she said.
@emserrano_vlog Bigla nalang akong naiiyak. Gusto ko ng sumuko pero lalaban ko to para sa pamilya ko. 🙁 #emserranovlog #scam #scammer #scammeralert #abudhabi ♬ original sound – Em Serrano🇦🇪🇵🇭
She has since sought help from the Philippine Embassy and has filed a legal case against the alleged scammer. “Lesson learned,” Serrano said, emphasizing the importance of not blindly trusting friends, especially when money is involved.