A content creator warned Filipinos to remain vigilant when using dating apps after someone he met allegedly stole his smartphone.
Content creator Philip Doria, also known as “Fifi,” (who uses the username @fifiontheset on TikTok) on May 31 shared that his iPhone 17 Pro was stolen by someone he met through Tinder, a dating app.
He said he met the suspect two days after they started talking on the platform.
According to Fifi, the suspect claimed to be a student-athlete from De La Salle University and appeared well-presented, prompting him to agree to the meetup.
The content creator said the suspect picked him up on a motorcycle..
They were on their way to a coffee shop along Legarda Street in Manila when the suspect claimed he did not know the route and asked Fifi to open a navigation app.
Fifi then placed his phone on a cellphone holder in front of the suspect, who repeatedly locked the device.
The content creator realized this may have been a tactic to memorize his passcode each time he unlocked the phone while it was mounted in front of the suspect.
The suspect later said he needed to refuel. Fifi got off the motorcycle, believing the suspect was about to gas up, but the man instead sped away with his phone.
“Nanakaw sa akin ‘yung iPhone 17 Pro ko dahil nakipagkita ako sa guy na nakilala ko lang sa dating app,” Fifi said in a video.
“Akala natin minsan hindi tayo mabibiktima ng mga ganitong bagay, hanggang sa mangyari na sa atin. If sharing this experience can help even one person avoid the same mistake, then it’s worth telling. Please be careful out there,” he said.
@fifiontheset Alam kong marami ang magja-judge sa akin after posting this. Trust me, I’ve already judged myself enough. Pero ang dahilan kung bakit ko ito shineshare ay para mag-raise ng awareness sa mga katulad kong nakikipag-meet sa mga taong nakikilala online. Akala natin minsan hindi tayo mabibiktima ng mga ganitong bagay, hanggang sa mangyari na sa atin. If sharing this experience can help even one person avoid the same mistake, then it’s worth telling. Please be careful out there. #datingapp #awareness #onlinedating ♬ original sound – fifiontheset
It was later revealed that the suspect had allegedly victimized at least 23 individuals since 2022 through similar schemes involving theft and acts of lasciviousness.
“Akala ko ako lang ang nabiktima. Pero after kong i-share ‘yung story ko, marami ang nag-reach out claiming na pareho rin ang naging experience nila,” Fifi said in another video.
On July 31, an individual told Fifi that the suspect had been spotted in Makati City. The content creator relayed the information to the police.
The Manila Police District later confirmed that the suspect had an existing warrant of arrest for acts of lasciviousness in Imus, Cavite, as well as another theft case in Makati.
Authorities later arrested the suspect at his workplace, a call center.
Fifi also formally filed a complaint and urged fellow dating app users to exercise caution when meeting people they connect with online.
“Lesson learned lang naman po talaga dito is sobrang kilalanin natin ‘yung nami-meet natin online. Especially nowadays, andiyan na yung mga dating apps. Kilalanin lang natin at makipag-meet tayo in public. Huwag natin pagkatiwalaan agad ‘yung mga nami-meet natin,” he said.
The content creator also encouraged others who may have had similar experiences to come forward and report them to the authorities.
“And if you genuinely believe na may similar experience kayo involving the same person, please preserve your evidence and lumapit sa proper authorities. You can also message me privately and I can help connect you with the other complainants,” Fifi said.
Meanwhile, police are urging other individuals who may have fallen victim to the same scheme to coordinate with the Barbosa Police Station so they can file additional complaints against the suspect.
