PNP sues 7 in EmGoldex get-rich-quick scam

Through its Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit (AFCCU), the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed two cases of syndicated estafa on November 26 and 27 before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office and the Manila Prosecutor's Office.

 

AFCCU Acting Chief Police Superintendent Bowenn Joey M. Masauding said the PNP has filed the complaint of PO3 Lenin T. Guinit last Thursday (November 26) before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office, and the complaint of PO2 Josegelio F Dayrit III the City Prosecutor's Office of Manila against the same respondents. 

 

Investigation shows that the EmGoldex investment scheme has amassed hundreds of millions of pesos, mostly from young working Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers, according to the PNP.

 

The transactions were done mostly online through Facebook and other social media sites, the police claimed. "Crimes committed in cyberspace and through the use of information and communication technologies are imposed the higher penalties as mandated by the Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012," it said.

 

 

More cases

 

In an emailed statement late Monday, the PNP named the respondents as Kevin del Mundo Miranda, Ryan Manuit, Charles Juiz Padilla, Raahbel Ymas, John Rafael Calicdan, Jose Victorio Cajita, and Paul Alviar.

 

According to the PNP, the respondents were incorporators of Prosperous Infinite Philippines Holdings Corp. which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August to help Global InterGold (GIG) investors who were unable to get a return on their investment.

 

"The SEC maintains that both EmGoldex and GIG are not SEC-registered corporations," the statement read.

 

"Initial investigation reports estimate that the EmGoldex investment scheme has amassed hundreds of millions of pesos mostly from young working Filipinos and OFWs, done mostly in online transactions thru Facebook and other social media websites," it added.

 

Other victims have also filed formal complaints with the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) last month, detailing how they were victimized by EmGoldex, GIG and PIPHC.

 

The NBI is also expected to file more cases against the companies and their officials.

 

The SEC earlier filed a cease and desist order before the Department of Justice against EmGoldex, Global Intergold, and PIPHC for supposedly selling unregistered securities and operating without a license.

 

Each violation is punishable with a fine of not more than P5 million or imprisonment of seven to 21 years or both. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News