The Child Cancer Scam: 1. The video

0:00This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. On June 11th, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department went missing. Hey, if they'll kill a cop and bury them, what are they going to do to me? What really happened to the missing deputy? Valley of Shadows, a new series from Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption in California's high desert. Listen to Valley of Shadows wherever you get your podcasts.

0:46Algin squeezes her son's hand as they walk along the hospital corridors. She's focused. Her husband and the rest of their children follow closely behind. They find the right place and push the door open into a brightly lit treatment room They see colourful balloons strung up around a bed There's an oxygen tank and a drip But there are no doctors or nurses in the room Just a camera crew Waiting This is what Algin says happens next They had already set up balloons and a banner. They'd invited my whole family, my husband and children, so that we could fake the celebration. We had to pretend that it was Khalil's birthday.

1:40Algin sees the local Filipino man who set this up. And the foreigner. He's stocky with a beard and sounds North American. The man looks closely at her seven-year-old boy, Khalil. He wants to make sure one of his conditions has been met. He insisted that we shaved off Khalil's hair so that we could convince people watching that Khalil was very sick. They hook up Khalil's hand to a drip. They set up some medical props. The IVs weren't real. Everything was staged. This is all part of the production which the foreigner is directing. He was telling us what to do and what to say, how to say it. I was standing by Khalil's side.

2:35The cameramen move into position. One of them is holding up a script for Khalil to read. Lines he's been practising. Hello, my name is Khalil. I am seven years old and I have cancer. I'm in a hospital and it hurt me a lot. I want to go play like my friend. Khalil doesn't want to do any of this. Algin has to convince him, telling him they need the money. I love dad and mom. I want to go home. I don't want to die now. I have dreams. With the cameras rolling, the foreigner tells Khalil's siblings to come over and wish him a happy birthday. Also asking him questions like, what was his birthday wish?

3:36And asking us what our birthday wishes were for Khalil. None of them are in a party mood, but they're trying to follow instructions by clapping and singing. Today is my birthday. But the foreigner doesn't want Khalil to look happy. He tells one of the crew to bring out onions. They're chopped up on a plate in front of him. They rubbed menthol ointment on his face and put onions in front of his eyes so that he would fake cry. I have a family that I love. Please save my life. and help me. The foreigner asks for retake after retake. He wants the perfect shot. Finally, he looks satisfied. Twelve hours later, the shoot is over.

4:36The camera crew quickly packs up. Algin wipes the tears from Khalil's eyes. As they all leave the hospital and head home, exhausted, her mind's replaying what has just happened over and over. Will she regret it?

5:04This is World of Secrets, Season 10, The Child Cancer Scam.

5:15A BBC World Service investigation. I'm Simi Jalaosho. Episode 1, The Video.

5:35Aljin Tabasa still lives in the house where she grew up, in a crowded neighbourhood in Cebu in the Philippines. We have lots of family living in one house. My father, my mother, and then my sister and her kids and her husband. And then my brother and his wife and his two kids. And me, my husband, our kids. So the house is really quiet.

6:05When I wake up in the morning, our home is always so busy because of all the kids getting ready for school. and as it's hot and humid the doors are left open. Motorbikes weave through the narrow alleyways as music blasts from speakers.

6:29Algin has long dark hair and a shy smile that never quite leaves her face. It's often halfway between laughter and thoughtfulness. She had her first child at 20. And then, two years later, Khalil came along.

6:56There's a photo of him in the corner of the living room with a cheeky grin wearing an I Love New York beanie. Khalil was a very happy child. He was very loving towards his siblings and towards me. Khalil has a brother and two sisters. Alja moves between English and Tagalog, so at those times, an actor is voicing her words. One is Kimberly, she's deaf and mute. Then I have Kendra, she's now eight years old. And the youngest is Kairi. Khalil was always playing with his brother and sisters and he loved to hug me every day and at night he always wanted to sleep right next to me he had a lot of friends and he just wanted to be outside all the time running around he wanted to be a policeman when he grew up

7:57in this video taken on Algin's phone Khalil is jumping on a trampoline and whizzing down a slide at a friend's birthday party.

8:10When he smiles, you can see he really likes sweets. He didn't have any teeth because he was always eating sweets and sucking on lollipops. And even though he didn't have any teeth, he didn't care. He'd just be smiling. He liked walking around without a top on and he loved to dance on TikTok with his cousins. He would get angry though if you tried to take away the mobile phone. But then he started getting sick. His body had lots of bruises and his tummy swelled up and he had this never-ending fever. It's hard to explain how I was feeling. When his nose started bleeding and he kept getting worse, we rushed him to the hospital.

8:58In July 2022, Khalil was diagnosed with leukemia. He was just seven years old.

9:09We were lost. We didn't know what we were going to do. Our whole world crashed. He always asked, Mommy, what's happening to me? But I didn't want to talk to him about it because I didn't want him to be sad. Then, when he started chemo, he knew what was happening to him.

9:34Before he was sick, he was slim, but when he was doing chemotherapy, his face became more and more swollen. He actually put on a lot of weight. The strong chemo medicine also gave him intense mood swings, but the moods never lasted long. Just a few minutes, then he'd be smiling again. He still forced himself to stay happy, even though he was suffering. Her husband Jozen stopped working as a janitor in order to look after Khalil, so they only had Algen's wage, the$8 a day she earned at a local pharmacy. The doctor insisted that Khalil start chemotherapy immediately so his condition wouldn't worsen and the cancer wouldn't spread.

10:17We were faced with a very large bill. I really needed money for Khalil's treatment. That's when my search for financial aid began. I looked everywhere, calling and messaging everyone I could find. In August 2022, one of those people, who she says worked for the government, put her in touch with someone. A local guy who said he knew a sponsor who could help her. He just told us that the sponsor wasn't from around here and that all we would have to do is make a video to earn the money. Algin was running out of options, so she didn't hesitate. They start messaging. Sir, please help us. Sponsor us, sir.

11:06Because our doctor might give up on us since we can't pay him anymore. Thank you very much, sir. We will do everything, Jane. Give me your child's full name, age and complete address. The local man is called Roy Incierto. Algin describes Roy as a tall man, neatly dressed, who always carried a briefcase. First, he wants Algin to make a video of Khalil on her phone. It's like an audition. He says if it's successful, with a sponsor, then a proper film will be made to raise money for the family. Roy calls Algin, Jin. Listen, Jin, this opportunity comes only once. So let's make the most of it. Let's help each other because all of us will benefit from the good things we do, OK?

12:07Just tell us what to do, sir. We'll follow as best we can. Please help us, sir. We can't pay the doctor anymore. We really don't have anything left, not even a peso. Over the next few days and weeks, they exchange text messages and voice notes. Sir, I'll make the video later because the neighbors are still a bit noisy right now. He explains exactly what he wants in this video.

12:43Jin, don't forget to send me a video. That includes his name, age, and details about his condition, including the stage of his cancer. Let's do our best to secure their support, OK? Roy says he's in touch with a sponsor abroad, and he guides Al-Jin through this application process. And have the camera facing forward, Jin. I am Algin Tabasa, introducing my family. And this is Khalil Jaden, my son. He is now suffering from acute lipoblastic leukemia, cancer of the blood. We badly needed your support for him. And we are knocking on your generous heart for my son because we don't have enough financial because of our status.

13:46My husband has no work.

13:52Videos go back and forth between Algin and Roy and the sponsor. I and my family begging, needing your support, please. We are hoping that you choose my son for your support so that he can have her fully recovered for his illness. God bless and thank you. Bye-bye.

14:25The sponsor also wants to see Khalil reading the lines. My name is Khalil Didin Bilamutabasa. I need your support, my chemotherapy, because my mother and my father, because they don't have money. I have cancer of the blood. I have my chemotherapy. We have no money for my treatment. I want to be a normal kid. I want to go to school. Please help me, please. Roy sends the videos to the sponsor to review. And Algen waits anxiously for their decision.

15:21On June 11th, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department went missing. Hey, if they'll kill a cop and bury them, what are they going to do to me? What really happened to the missing deputy? Valley of Shadows, a new series from Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption in California's high desert. Listen to Valley of Shadows wherever you get your podcasts.

16:00A week later, Roy gets back in touch. Good morning, Jin. I'm pleased to inform you that the boss is happy and he said he is proud to support Kalil. Okay? They've seen the child and even mentioned that he is cute. God is really great. They are already making the contract. Okay, sir. I'm very thankful to God, sir. I even went to Santo Nino to pray. Thank you very much, sir. But weeks pass without any news, and she starts to worry. Hello, Mr. Roy. We just want to ask if there's any update. Ah, you will know, Jean. I'll call you once it's ready, okay? The Canada Group is working on your contract. Just be ready when I call you, okay?

16:56At least you won't have to worry anymore, Jane, like about what to cook. And your husband can go back to working again and be at peace. Yes, sir. It's been such a heavy burden, especially since we don't have money to buy food anymore. Just stay positive. God is praiseworthy. Amen, sir. There is no mention in these messages of the amount of money Al-Jing will receive. Over the next four months, they keep texting. And then, in December, Roy sends a message. Next week, please be very available. With one very specific demand.

17:47If Kalil's hair grows back, you'll need to shave it again because filming will begin. We already have the script and shooting will start next week. We made an effort, Jen, okay? So that at least you will have a little advance payment for celebrations at Christmas. So congratulations and continue praying. This will be seen worldwide and will help us gain financial assistance. Finally, to Algin's relief, the foreigner is coming from Canada all the way to the Philippines to film Kalim.

18:37After the foreign sponsor arrives in Cebu, you can hear him instructing Roy in this voice note to Algin. I have, um, I downloaded a messenger. OK. Wait, that was... You don't have to send by WhatsApp, send it here. Yeah. Like you sent, what's his name? Because I just don't want to mix up everything. No, take your time. Jen, the picture of Khalil... Please send me a picture of Khalil from when he was first diagnosed. Maybe on Wednesday we can begin filming.

19:19Aljin and her family are on standby as the filming date and location keep moving. Roy tells Algin the sponsor is taking part in the Jewish religious festival. Good morning, sir. Are you on your way? Erez is still busy with Hanukkah. Maybe it will be next week instead. Get ready next week. Monday. We will film after you sign. Her fingers are tightly crossed. He explained that first we would meet the sponsor to receive our money for Khalil's medication and signed the contract. Then, the following day, we would make the video. Algin meets this foreign sponsor just after Christmas in 2022. He introduced himself as Erez, and he said he was from Canada.

20:11He was a very fat man with a beard, and he wore a very small hat on the top of his head. She's talking about a kippah, the Jewish head covering. for men. When I met him, it was the happiest day because he gave us the money that we really needed. Nobody else had. He gave me 40 ,000 pesos. So,$700 up front. But there's more. He told me if the video clicked, he'd give us 100 ,000 pesos per month. That's$1 ,500 each month. If the video gets lots of clicks or donations. That's a lot of money in the Philippines, where the average monthly salary is only around$300. Algin hopes this will pay for Khalil's expensive cancer treatment.

21:07The first shoot is at Algin's home. When they came to film the video in the house, they brought food for the family. Khalil really didn't want to shoot that day. He was shy and also he told me he didn't like Erez. He had a bad feeling about him from the beginning. But I had to convince him to just do the videos so that we could afford his medication. They promised him toys and whatever he wanted if he agreed to film the video. Then we started to film the video after we ate. Algin says she signed a contract presented by Erez. We had to sign the contract to receive the 40 ,000 pesos. It was as if they were in some kind of rush.

21:56She says she wasn't sure what she was signing and wasn't given a copy. It was wrong of us not to take a photo of the contract. At the time I just went with the flow. I would have done anything to get the medicine for Khalil. What was important to us was that someone would help us. After filming at the house, Algin says Erez directed the shoot at the hospital. That shoot where they fake the birthday party and use onions to make Khalil cry. Before Algin leaves, she says she asked Erez where the videos would be going. He didn't tell us where we would see the video. They just told us they were going to upload it to social media.

22:40But he didn't give us a link. Months pass after the filming and Algin is waiting for news. She messages Erez directly, asking what's happening with the campaign. He told us it wasn't successful. So, as I understood it, the video just didn't make any money.

23:12Nearly a year later, I'm at home in London watching videos on the couch. When this advert pops up, it's of a little girl with a shaved head. Tears are streaming down her cheeks.

23:36She looks no older than 10. Her father is holding her in his arms in a hospital ward.

23:49She says her treatment will cost a lot of money that her parents just don't have. They said that if I don't get healed now, I have a few months to live. Please, please help me get well. Please. The video ends with a large text on the screen. Donate now and save Alexandra's life. Some of the donors have left messages. I pray you're receiving treatment and healing, finding comfort in God and keeping good spirits in your fight. Stay strong. It was only$25. My contribution is meaningless by itself. Please don't let our donations be in vain. When I click on the campaign link, I see it's raised$450 ,000 US dollars and counting.

24:47I scroll down, looking closer. There are no updates about her well-being, no information about her family. It feels like something isn't right here. Then I come across loads of these slickly produced videos on Facebook and YouTube of ill-looking children speaking in lots of different languages.

25:20All pleading for money. They all want to survive cancer. There's Matthew, Anna, Hector, Shafu, and many more.

25:48Then I see another video about a boy called Khalil.