TV host and broadcaster Gretchen Ho calls attention to an incident involving a Filipino traveler who was allegedly refused a currency exchange at Oslo Gardermoen Airport in Norway, because they had come from the Philippines.
Gretchen shares her story across her social media accounts on Monday, October 6, 2025, prompting Filipinos with similar experiences in Norway to speak up in the comments section.
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GRETCHEN FLAGS FOREX BOOTH INCIDENTS IN OSLO
According to Gretchen, a family member who was traveling with friends approached the foreign exchange booth just past baggage claim, when the cashier asked where they had flown from.
The Big Story anchor is quoted the staff as saying: “You came from the Philippines? We cannot exchange your dollars because of the corruption and money laundering in the Philippines.”
The family member was attempting to change USD 300 and was advised to exchange money elsewhere, not at the airport.
“Terrible. What are we going to do about this, Philippines?”
Photo/s: Screengrab from Facebook | Gretchen Ho
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On the heels of her initial post, Gretchen puts out a photo of the exact counter location inside Oslo Gardermoen Airport, noting it sits right after the arrivals baggage area.
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She also writes on Facebook that she was “trying to get ahold of the ambassador” to raise the matter formally.
Photo/s: Screengrab from X | @gretchenho
More accounts surface
Gretchen’s thread quickly draws replies from Filipinos who claimed they had been turned away at the same airport counter.
One commenter says the incident happened to him and his brother at the Oslo Airport exchange in July 2025, adding they were told that other money changers near the central station are less strict.
Gretchen asks why.
The commenter replies: “the same reason your family member got.”
Another netizen recounts a 2022 encounter at the very same forex counter: “Reason given was that the Philippines is a hotspot country.”
Both netizens were directed to a nearby 7-Eleven store and had to buy an item just to get change in NOK.
Their debit and credit cards, however, worked elsewhere in Oslo.
“Baka may diskriminasyon sa mga Pinoy na dapat malaman ng embassy doon,” the commenter adds.
Gretchen replies that she would include the account in her report.
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