MANILA, Philippines—He's back to spray-painting-but this time, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim wrote the word "closed" as he led the locking up of 22 moneychangers without permits in Ermita and Malate Friday, as part of a crackdown on shops reportedly shortchanging tourists.

Lim swooped down on six of the erring moneychangers mostly on Mabini, Padre Faura and M.H. del Pilar -- areas frequented by tourists -- and padlocked them before noon.

He was joined by secretary to the mayor Rafaelito Garayblas, permits bureau chief Nelson Alivio, City Hall Police Office chief Senior Superintendent Alex Gutierrez, and Department of Public Services chief Retired Colonel Carlos Baltazar in the operation.

The mayor stressed that money changer shops were not allowed to operate unless licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Ordered closed through a September 29 order were: Rahma Money Changer, Krystel Gift Shop & Foreign Exchange Buyer, Heva Money Changer, Fharniza Hasmin Money Changer, Penny Worth Money Changer, Aloathani Money Changer, Aynin Money Changer, Nikko Mart, Sea Front Foreign Exchange and Sahraf Foreign Exchange Dealer, all on Mabini;

LFI-2 Money Changer, Fharniza Money Changer and Izahr Money Changer on P. Faura; Babe's Money Changer on Sta. Monica;

ABB Money Changer on Madre Ignacia; Sunnet Money Changer on P. Gil corner Adriatico; O Hara Money Changer on Adriatico;

Shynnz Money Changer on Plaza Nuestro Sra. de Guia; Zayed Bread & Coffee Haus, Adnalhe Money Changer, AiraMoney Changer and Mad Sky Money Changer on M.H. del Pilar;

Dan Loi Money Changer on Arquiza;

Nadia Wizza Money Changer; and money changers owned by Isabel Alcuran and Baby Quiros.

The move was prompted by complaints from tourists and overseas Filipino workers being gypped of their hard-earned money by fly-by-night money changers.

Lim said victims often realized too late that the money handed to them was actually short of several thousands.

"Pag binilang sa harapan mo `yung pera, tama ang amount. Pero pag uwi mo at binilang mo ulit, siguradong kulang na `yun (When the money is counted in front of you, the amount is correct. But when you go home and count it again, for sure it is already short)," he said.

He reminded the public to be more careful in parting with their money and make sure that they dealt with legitimate money changers.

Those who have been victimized, added the mayor, should not merely settle the incident with the establishment and instead file charges against them to prevent similar cases.