Veteran actress and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) board member Almira Muhlach recently shared how she allegedly fell victim to an online jewelry scam after purchasing expensive pieces that later turned out to be fake.
Almira personally visited the showroom of Maddox Jewelry located along JP Rizal Street in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City to have the jewelry checked.
According to Charo Cordial, she immediately suspected that the items were counterfeit upon inspecting them.
“Unang hawak pa lang, isa pa ang amoy ng alahas,” Cordial reportedly said, noting that she instantly knew the actress had been scammed.
Almira revealed that she lost around P293,000 from the transaction.
Despite jokes from Cordial that the actress could afford the loss, Almira admitted the experience still hurt financially and emotionally.
“Masakit pa rin sa bulsa ang P200,000 plus. At saka, nakakahiya man, siyempre, naloko tayo,” the actress said.
She added that the experience taught her the importance of purchasing from trusted sellers with legitimate physical stores.
“I’ve learned my lesson na kailangan may physical store,” she explained.
Cordial echoed the advice, emphasizing that buyers should ensure online jewelry sellers have verifiable physical showrooms customers can visit if problems arise.
“Better na may physical store, at least alam mo na mapupuntahan ang showroom nila,” she said.
According to Almira, she later discovered that genuine jewelry sold at Maddox Jewelry was significantly more affordable than what she had purchased from the alleged scam seller online.
She even recalled seeing a piece worth around P30,000 at Maddox that was being sold elsewhere online for more than P70,000.
Aside from discussing the jewelry incident, Almira also opened up about her personal life and second marriage during her visit.
The actress described herself as “blessed” to have been given another chance at love following her failed first marriage.
“I was given a second chance,” she shared, adding that her current husband has no vices and has been a positive influence in her life.
Almira also revealed that she and her now-husband were together for 11 years before tying the knot last year, noting that they never lived together before marriage.
“Kasi masarap naman na may kasama ka sa pagtanda,” she said.
The full interview may be viewed through Maddox Jewelry YouTube Channel as well as their official social media pages.
