QC cops on alert for pyramid scam operators

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City policemen were ordered to be on the lookout for the orchestrators of a Ponzi scheme that has allegedly duped 15,000 persons, including politicians and government employees in the Visayas and Mindanao, of P12 billion, and to be on alert for similar pyramiding scams in the locality.

In a November 22 memorandum to all station commanders and the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (Cidu), Superintendent Dennis De Leon, the head of the Quezon City Police District Investigation and Detection Management (QCPD-DIDM), ordered the police units to monitor and report the possible existence of Ponzi scheme activities in the city.

De Leon particularly mentioned in the memorandum the alleged pyramiding scheme of the Pagadian City-based Aman Futures Group Philippines Inc, owned by a Manuel Amalilio.

He said that based on news reports, the company swindled thousands of people, including military and police personnel as well as retired government employees.

De Leon cited in his memorandum the “alleged inaction of the police even after they received complaints about the suspicious operations of the said company (Aman Futures) within their locality.”

According to the QCPD-DIDM chief, similar incidents have to be prevented from happening in Quezon City.

“To avoid similar incidents of inaction, you are hereby directed to monitor and submit any reports or incidents or complaints to this division involving the said company or other schemes of similar nature, on a weekly basis starting November 23,” De Leon.

He added that the order would be for strict compliance based on a directive by the QCPD director, Chief Supt. Mario Dela Vega, and Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, the director of the National Capital Region Police Office.