MANILA, Philippines -- The National Bureau of Investigation on Monday opened a probe into an alleged billion-peso investment scam that has reportedly victimized around 3,000 people, including celebrities.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring urged those with a complaint against Royal Manchester Five Trading Corp. (RMF), a currency-trading company with offices at One San Miguel Condominium at Ortigas Center in Pasig City, to come forward and file affidavits at the agency’s anti-fraud division.

Among RMF’s reported victims were basketball players Johnny Abarrientos, Rafi Reavis, Mark Macapagal and Edward Juinio, coach Eric Altamirano and actor Rustom Padilla.

Mantaring said Myrna Calingo of Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City, had filed a complaint against RMF president Cyrus Hao, after she heard about “bouncing checks and insufficient funds” from fellow investors.

Calingo said she had been an investor in RMF since 2005 through agent Elvin Enriquez, after she was offered five-percent interest per month.

Investors were apparently told their money was being traded in Denmark and other European countries. At the end of February they said their checks started to bounce.

Calingo sought the NBI’s help in finding Hao after reports surfaced he had fled the country. Allison W. Lopez