Masked man allegedly uses perfume scam to rob store owner

A disturbing video circulating on X has raised alarm after allegedly showing a masked man using a perfume-selling scheme to rob a sari-sari store owner.

The footage showed a man wearing a cap, long sleeves, and a ski mask approaching the store and offering a bottle of perfume for just ₱100. When the store owner reportedly tried to smell the product, she appeared to suddenly lose consciousness, allowing the suspect to take several mobile phones from the establishment before fleeing.

However, the circumstances surrounding the woman’s apparent loss of consciousness, including whether any substance was involved, have yet to be independently verified.

The original uploader expressed outrage over the incident, questioning why someone would resort to stealing another person’s hard-earned belongings instead of earning a living honestly.

EMBED: https://x.com/Silyyeer/status/2119950158997979448

“Ang dami na talagang masasamang tao sa panahon ngayon, no? Like, bakit ba nila ginagawa ’to? Like, sige, kung ginawa niya ’yan, magiging masaya siya, pero si Ate? Ano kaya ang mafe-feel niya? Pinaghirapan niya ang bagay na ’yan, tapos gano’n-gano’n lang kukunin. Mahirap ba magtrabaho nang tama? Sana totoo ang karma at karmahin ang isang katulad mo!” the post read.

The footage also drew skepticism, with one viewer questioning whether the alleged robbery was staged.

“Scripted naman ata, tulog agad, bagsak agad,” one commenter wrote.

Another argued that questions about the video’s authenticity should not overshadow concerns about the safety of small business owners.

“Scripted man o hindi, this is still alarming. Ganito na kahirap ang buhay ngayon na pati simpleng manininda tinitira niyo.”

While the authenticity and circumstances of the viral footage remain unverified, official crime statistics and recent scam reports point to continuing security concerns affecting Filipinos.

The National Capital Region Police Office reported a 47.69% decline in Metro Manila’s eight focus crimes from November 1 to 7, 2026, with 68 recorded incidents compared with 130 during the same period in 2025. These crimes include theft, robbery, physical injuries, and other serious offenses.

Meanwhile, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s 2026 State of Scams report found that 84% of Filipino adults encountered at least one scam attempt in the past year.

Based on a survey of 1,160 adults, the report also estimated annual financial losses at ₱121.8 billion. The proportion of respondents reporting the use of digital wallets by scammers rose from 34% in 2025 to 73% in 2026.

Although these figures cover different forms of crime and fraud, they underscore the importance of public awareness, effective law enforcement, and stronger protection for ordinary Filipinos.