have to pay bribe. DAS medellin

cremaster says on Feb 2, 2005, 15:07:

vic I think you should ¨kick up a storm¨ because I have to go get my tourist visa extended and I wouldn´t mind a show.
Seriously, you should raise hell, because paying her off will make it harder for the next person. If enough people complain, maybe something will be doen to the short, fat lady in charge.

Patrick

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Cerealkiller says on Feb 2, 2005, 20:10:

Hmmm toughie, there has to be a hotline or something where you can just get some info. I am quite sceptic when it comes to DAS, unfortunately I have seen how the people from extranjeria treat tourists and stuff...It kind of makes you want to punch them. But then again you might have met a nice lady who wants to help you...there must a be hotline or something where you can just call and ask what the common procedure is...

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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Lionheart says on Feb 2, 2005, 20:25:

I agree with GiB Unless you are absolutely sure you are being asked for a bribe, I wouldn't risk the possible trouble, even winding up on a blacklist. This is an touchy area, I would pay and check later. Remember you are also under personal time constraints.

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gorgonabob says on Feb 2, 2005, 21:13:

me again it is definitely a bribe...

i have been here over two years and am now on my third student visa.

when you get your student visa from Bogota you have two months time.... no more to go to a DAS office and get your Cedula Extranjeria.

i did go two days before the time limit was up... but stupid me.... i left my passport in the taxi outside DAS.... i went in with all the required copies, photos etc. minus the passport. she told me i had to have my passport.. but honestly i did not see why i needed my passport. i had all the copies.... she told me to make a denuncia and go from there...

i got the passport back on monday evening and went in on tuesday, three days late... but i figured having a genuine excuse i would not have to pay the late fine.. i was wrong.....

believe it or not in 2004 i was also two months late in applying for my Cedula. DAS came knocking on out apartment door... i filled in all the forms, got the copies and that time i paid not one dime in fines.

this time i feel the fat chick saw an opportunity to make some cash..

though i must say while talking with her. she did get all nice with me... she started asking if i had a girlfriend and wanted to set me up with someone.... she brought in the maid..... not my type... she was smiling and laughing a lot.

i told her i did not think i should pay any multa being that i came in on time with a lost passport report from the police making me unable to complete the requirements to get a Cedula.. she said i could pay 350,000 or give her 190,000. several times she put her finger to her mouth and told me i should tell no one about it...

so i guess i will just pay the amount.... reluctantly...

i tell you what i was thinking... i met president Uribes son a few months back in a festival in Villavo, they gave me there emails and i was thinking of writing them a letter and telling them to get dad on the job.. sure hes got bigger fish to fry but who knows.

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Steve says on Feb 3, 2005, 00:57:

REPORT HER Don't go down the road of dishonesty which appears to be part of the life in Colombia(I'm not saying everyone in Colombia is dishonest) Help try to change that way of life by not conforming/helping the corruption.

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Cerealkiller says on Feb 3, 2005, 05:07:

That was plain rude of her!!! I think I smell a rat, isnt there anyone else you can talk to? Is the fat lady the only person working on that? If so, then I dont know, I think there s a conflict and if I were you Id kick up a storm Ive never and hopefully never pay a bribe and would rather pay the 350.000 than just give the stupid lady the pleasure of buying some greasy mercado for her and laugh at the dumb gringo who sponsored it. But then again, youre a foreigner and as others have said before it could be inconvenient in the coming days thats if youre planning on staying here indefinitely...on the other hand you can always come to bogota's DAS HQs or the ones in Cali :P

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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Roncita says on Feb 3, 2005, 07:32:

DON'T PAY!!!!!!! I know exactly what fat lady you're talking about (her name's Fanny, the one in the office right at the end behind the reception, right?) and she tried exactly the same thing with me in dec.

DON'T PAY HER THE MONEY - she is going to pocket it and go and out and enjoy herself. DAS will never see it. Here's my story:

I arrived in Col on 30th Sept and didn't go to DAS until something like 8th Dec, not knowing I had only 60 days to get my cedula. So Fanny tells me Ihave to pay a fine.....and when I make a face because I already queued for 1 hr in Bancafe that morning to pay the bloody cedula fee, she says to me, don't worry, someone else paid too much once (or something along those lines - I've been living in Medellin for over 2 yrs on and off, speak fluent Spanish and I still find her damn difficult to understand!) so I've got a consignacion here from Bancafe, just go to that Conavi near Consumo just down the road, come back and pay me the money and it'll all be fine.......you don't even have to go back to Bancafe. Not really knowing what she was on about, I just thought she was being nice, so I said OK.

However then my paisa husband walked in (he'd been doing another vuelta elsewhere) and when I told him I had to pay a fine but that Fanny said I could pay her the money directly he IMMEDIATELY smelt a rat and said No, sorry Fanny, we're going to bancafe to pay the moneh in directly there. Fanny got really upset (or pretended to) and started saying, are you trying to say I'm being dishonest etc and my husband said No, no, nothing like that, we'd just rather do things properly.....and she carried on looking offended until I'd finished filling in all the forms etc.

I didn't really understand what was going on but as soon as we left my husband explained and said Fanny had tried it on, she was obviously going to steal the money and DAS would never have seen it....so we went straight to Bancafe and made the consignacion for the fine. Pain in the arse but better that the money goes to DAS (corrupt as it may be) than in Fanny la Gorda's pocket.

So, that's my experience........

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lpdiver says on Feb 3, 2005, 07:44:

Then on the other hand You pay her and you have an insider on your side...might be a good investment.

You never know,

Antony

"cook some rice!"

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paisa29 says on Feb 3, 2005, 08:55:

there is an anti-corruption line, you could report that woman.
toll free: 018000-913040
www.anticorrupcion.gov.co

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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Roncita says on Feb 3, 2005, 12:21:

So what happened, Gorgonabob? I'm dying to know...Did you pay up and did Fanny try and fix you up with anyone else?!

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cremaster says on Feb 3, 2005, 13:25:

I was just at the DAS office in Medellin, and Fanny was still there, didn´t see Gorgonabob - maybe he was on a cita with the maid???

Patrick

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gorgonabob says on Feb 3, 2005, 13:52:

what happened.... well i decided to let her sweat it a little more...... and go in tomorrow... no rush i am thinking.....

i have signed all the papers, even signed and put a thumb print on my new cedula...... i guess its just waiting there for me... behind the desk.....

i really do not want to pay... however i also plan on staying in the country for several years....so do not want to cause to much trouble.

what annoys me is that...
1. last year i also got a cedula and was one month late in getting it... DAS knocked on the apart. door saying i had to go now or would be kicked out. and i went in, got the cedula and paid no fine whatsover.....
2. i had a genuine reason for not getting the cedula on time... that being i had lost my passport( I had a police report ). when it was handed back in i went in(three days late) and thought i would be ok. not...

ill go in tomorrow aft.... maybe she won't be there....i guess i will pay up... we will see. i could bring in a lawyer friend.

i was thinking of sticking in a fake 20,000 bill i have from a while back.... shed like that... obviously she aint going to check the money thoroughly in front of me.....

Another little story.... while i was in the office chatting away with her, a spanish speaking businessman came in with a small present under his arms, looked like a scarf, but probably had something inside... said thanks a lot etc in spanish and the lady said he could get his cedula himself from the pile while she continued to talk to me..... he was clearly happy with the service

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dwmte says on Feb 3, 2005, 13:54:

THE REASON THEY HAVE THE PAY-AT-THE-BANK system is because they are full aware of the dishonesty of their employees.

forget any thoughts of having an inside contact with someone at das, that's belief in the tooth fairy.

pay the fine at the bank and keep das outta your life.

those are people you don't want to cross. havent' you ever noticed the 'thug' quality of some of the guys walking around with guns in their belts or machine guns in their arms. they're not friendly nor are they your friends. also, beware talking about these people. i just told mrs. gomez that in colombia the walls have ears.

be smart and don't creat problems for yourself. paying for your errors at the bank is a whole lot cheaper than paying with your life.

dw

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goosekirk says on Feb 3, 2005, 14:03:

Interesting The businessman with the scarf tears it for me. I'd get your cedula, pay whatever you feel like, and then a few weeks from now I'd make a report on that anti-corruption line. Make sure you can do it anonymously. If not, then I'd go ahead and send an email to your Uribe contact and ask for advice. It may not help anything, but it irritates me to see someone making a business out of it like she is. Someone wants to shake down the odd gringo every now and then, I can understand that... but making a full-time operation out of it, well, she's really asking for it. And it sure doesn't help the Colombian government's reputation with foreigners.

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Roncita says on Feb 3, 2005, 15:38:

pay it into the bank if you have to I agree with DW and Goosekirk - if you have to pay anything, pay it into Bancafe, not into Fanny's hot (and fat) little hand. It'll just encourage her to try and rip other foreigners off and it's really not a pleasant feeling when you realise that your hard-earned pesos are just going to line someone else's pocket.

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Roncita says on Feb 3, 2005, 15:41:

ps A lawyer friend of my husband said that it's illegal for anyone to pay DAS cash-in-hand as it were, so just don't do it. You will also be breaking the law, not just her.

Also, chances are she will be there tomorrow as she's the only one who handles cedulas extranjerías. And you can bet she would count out the money in front of you. She's that type.

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Cerealkiller says on Feb 3, 2005, 16:49:

Fat Fanny deserves to be part of the unemployed population. That pisses me off, and someone said something very wise...If she did that on her own she wouldnt be there. There has to be someone else involved and that stinks. I agree with paying in whatever you need at the bank.
And although I would report her without thinking about it, I think you shouldnt. Weird things happen and if you can get your cedula without giving her money then i think that should be enough.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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gorgonabob says on Feb 4, 2005, 01:45:

this aint easy its five in the fgukkkkingggg mornig and i just came back from the firgging CLARITA.. which is the middle of nowhere in the medellin night scene for those who want to know.. but the locals love it.. open to 5 in the morning for those who care...

i have been working for one hour.... online poker... and have made over $200. is this a sign.. this is my job here of late...

i really dont want to pay the fukkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn bithc... it will kill me...

i reckon im going to go in there and kick up a storm... i wish i could go in now in my ron CALDAS induced drunkin state.... perhaps ill put in one for the boys.... ive had enough...this is war....ive had it... im writing to the URIBE boys.. id rather see my mother with my best friend than pay this fat ho.... but what do you doo......

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gorgonabob says on Feb 4, 2005, 02:08:

so this will be my course of action im going in with 60,000, and my supposed ex girlfriend,,,, who is also a lawyer..... so ill say...... she told me, my lawyer friend that is... that it is illegal to pay the money other than in BANCAFE.. and as im so straight and proper then id rather have the forms and pay the legal way... ill also put in that i know the presidents sons and have there emails and that they told me to write to them if i had any problems.... lets see how that goes down...

i think ill skull a media de ron de caldas before i go in... will let you all know tommorrow how it goes

lets make a stand

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Cerealkiller says on Feb 4, 2005, 06:32:

errrr Hope you woke up in a soberish state and reconsidered...good luck anyways

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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cremaster says on Feb 5, 2005, 11:22:

So... What happened to Gorgonabob?

Enquiring minds want to know!

Patrick

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pink_lotus says on Feb 5, 2005, 12:00:

Tape Record her - or Ipod her is you have one LOL I hears that buzz you had last night through your typing! :)

LOL - well I agree with most of the people here. I have been in you situations so many times.

Dude - don't pay it.

Go in acting real dumb ...and 'gringo' like. Ask her what the fee is for... say well "duhhhmmm errrrrrrr uhhhhhh if I have this happen to pay this again when will? What law is this from. Tell her you love Colombia and have the hopes of renoucing your american citizinship cuz you want to work in the D.A.S..tell her you have dreams at night of wearing a D.A.S. uniform and you want to learn as much about the regualtions as possilbe.

Let her think you are really waay out there dumb. Let her open her mouth talk and talk about the money and the 'fee'.

But the key is you have a tape recorder in your pocket.If you have an ipod all the better ...tape it in mp3 format and burn 20 or theirty discs and distribute them everywhere ( jejej ok that's an exageration.
Don't let her know you did this.
Go to the anti corruption place or a supervisors and make an anyminous complaint....
This way it won't be your word against hers.

I am suing a psychotic doctor who has killed several people and he is trying to threaten my life and bribe his way out of jail.
Well I 'm not having it - I am making a fight about it.
Screw the corruption down there. It makes me sick to my stomach.

however there IS a possibility that she might be helping you!!!
So make sure THAT is not the CASE.

The ladies at the D.A.S in Bogota on the 4th floor are awsome and sweet people. They really helped me out big TIME!

Hope you hangover ain't all that bad!!
Good LUCK!

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 5, 2005, 12:58:

yeah, the suspense is almost unbearable.
D'you think he hasn't reported back because they don't allow internet connections in Colombian calabooses?
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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pink_lotus says on Feb 5, 2005, 13:02:

is almost unbearable.
D'you think he hasn't reported back because they don't allow internet connections in Colombian calabooses?
Cheers,
Desi

MEGA LOLOLOLOLOLOL! You made me laugh! :)

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Lionheart says on Feb 5, 2005, 14:01:

no gorgonabob? I hope he didn't blow it and is doing DAS time now ...

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Gator says on Feb 5, 2005, 19:46:

He Keeps Repeating This. El cárcel es magnífico. Mucho mejor que mi hotel. El cárcel es magnífico. Mucho mejor que mi hotel. El cárcel es magnífico. Mucho mejor que mi hotel. El cárcel es magnífico. Mucho mejor que mi hotel.

"Nice jail you got. Much better than my hotel."

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Lionheart says on Feb 5, 2005, 20:16:

2 choices spending the weekend with the fat lady and her maid, or meeting Bubba ... what is Bubba's name in Colombia?

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ARMacleod says on Feb 6, 2005, 03:57:

D.A.S. Good/bad? When I mentioned to my novia that I found out about the change that is happening in March with reference to Visas, She went balistic.

"Oh my god, I hope that you never mentioned anything about me, they are all corrupt, devils in disguise, evil, they will have a contract out on us.

She then compared them to the Soviet secret police, Gestapo etc.

I notice the point stated by pink-lotus "The ladies at the D.A.S in Bogota on the 4th floor are awsome and sweet people. They really helped me out big TIME"!

I am confused now!

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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gorgonabob says on Feb 6, 2005, 23:41:

well... wimped out unfortunately i have to say when the old caldas left the system i and a few of my colombian friends advised me to pay up.. i wimped out and paid....

it was not a good feeling... imagining what little miss piggy will be doing with my cash..

the only positive thing i have to say, is that i slipped in a fake 20,000 bill i got the night before out on the booze... im sure shell like that one...

she did not even check the content of the envelope i handed her, just put it in the closet.. should have packed it with toilet paper....

she wont be far out of my mind that women.... i am writing to the Uribe boys, not that i am confident of a reply... but i did meet them once and have the emails of both.....

the sad thing is she gave me my cedula before i gave her the money... i could have just walked out.... what could she have done.... there was another guy in the office.... i guess she could have screwed me at a latter date... and it really just aint worth it is it... i plan on being here for several years and no doubt i will be making many more trips to DAS

on another note any visiting La Clarita, Robledo.... a great place on fri and sat... open till late.... watch out for fake notes.. i got passed two that evening.... was so pissed had no idea....also check your dance partners ID... i found out later that the girl i was interested in was 15 friggin years old... give me a ring in five years... no thanks....

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Lionheart says on Feb 6, 2005, 23:52:

I think you did the right thing You just couldn't know who is her friend in DAS and you don't want to meet Bubba's Colombian cousin.

But call that hotline mentioned, send those emails (invite them for a whiskey party) ...

Now that all here know what's going on there we can prepare a surprise party for little miss fanny. I am sure there are legal ways to fry her butt. Set her up for a cash handover at the right time ...
I would have an idea ... write me in my PM if you are interested

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Roncita says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:05:

Fat Fanny has won! Sorry but all I can say is I'm disappointed you handed over the money after all the discussions we've had about it here. You should have gone to Bancafe. So you're going to be here for several years - what's wrong with insisting that you do the right thing and pay it into the bank? It's annoying to think that corruption can win.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 8, 2005, 09:23:

Not to diminish Not to take away from your bad experiences at the DAS, but I had a woman at the Bogota DAS office be extremely helpful to me recently when getting all my shit together for a cedula. She helped us through a couple rough patches and made it really clear that she wasn't asking for anything in return.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 8, 2005, 09:37:

Right woman That's her. She was really great.

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