By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
LAOAG CITY—The National Bureau of Investigation based in
this city has warned the public not to fall to an investment scam in the guise
of selling loads and enticing the public to invest cash money with a monthly
payout interest of 10 percent in the form of post-dated checks.
NBI agent Gerard L. Butale in an interview said at least
17 complainants mostly composed of teachers, police personnel, other
professionals and local businessmen appeared in their office as they filed a
criminal complaint against SPVTOP International Inc. based in Baguio City.
The separate complaints of the victims were filed before
the office of the provincial prosecutor Jerry D. Nebab at the Hall of Justice
in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan.
Based on preliminary investigation of the NBI, the
company’s founder identified as Brick Y. Agcopra and its officers offered 10%
monthly interest payments to investors reaching PHP1 million or more.
With this, about a thousand investors from Claveria and neighboring
Sanchez Mira, Cagayan who are close relatives, friends and neighbors were
enticed to invest more. At first, the post-dated checks were honored by the
bank until in September and October, similar checks presented to the bank were rejected
because the said account was already closed.
Upon verification with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) in Baguio City on October 14, 2019, the NBI found out the
company is not authorized to operate as an investment company.
One of the victims claimed a demand letter addressed to
the SPVTOP founder and officers was delivered at their office address in Baguio
City but the office staff of the said company refused to receive the letter
which prompted the victims to report the alleged multi-million investment scam
to the NBI.
Recently, another victim of said company appeared at the
NBI Laoag Office and filed similar complaint.
“If it’s too good to be true, we should not be easily
enticed. This must be stopped. May this served as a lesson for us to use our
money wisely,” said one of the complainants who requested anonymity.
The law states those found to have violated the SRC, or
the relevant rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, face a maximum fine
of Php5 million or imprisonment of seven to 21 years, or both.
As of this posting, Mr. Agcopra or any of the SPVTOP’s
authorized representatives has not issued any statement yet about the issue.
Hit status in NBI clearance refers to a situation where the National Bureau of Investigation finds a record or name similarity during the background verification process. This does not automatically mean that a person has a criminal case; instead, it usually happens when an applicant’s name, birthdate, or personal details match or closely resemble someone with an existing record in the NBI database. When hit status in NBI clearance appears, the application goes through manual verification to confirm the individual’s identity and clear any confusion.
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