MANILA, Philippines -- The National Bureau of Investigation has filed charges against a former public school teacher who allegedly lured several people, including her fellow teachers, into an investment scheme.

Charged with syndicated estafa at the Manila Prosecutor's Office on Friday was Marites Francisco, a former teacher at the Malabon National High School and a resident of Paez Street, Concepcion, Malabon City.

Francisco was arrested by bureau agents during an entrapment operation and is now detained at the NBI jail.

According to Angelito Magno, chief of the NBI Special Action Unit, the suspect, sometime in 2005, lured the complainants, most of whom were her fellow teachers, to join an investment scheme that involved selling of SM gift certificates.

The suspect allegedly claimed she was connected with SM Shoemart as a sales agent. She reportedly promised the complainants a 10-percent monthly profit payable every 15th and 30th of the month, the NBI said.

One of the complainants, Reynaldo Corvera, also a teacher, told the NBI that from December 2005 to April 2007, the suspect was able to pay her obligations with the investors. However, Francisco reneged on her promise the following month, saying she had no more money to give.

In November 2007, the suspect reportedly took a leave of absence from her teaching job and never reported back.

Corvera claimed that he and about a dozen other complainants each invested amounts ranging from P5,000 to a million .

The NBI said they expect more victims to surface and file charges against the suspect.

Corvera added that they sought the assistance of the NBI after Francisco failed to return their investment despite repeated demands.

Last month, the suspect again offered Corvera another investment scheme, prompting the latter to coordinate with the NBI for an entrapment operation.

The arrest was made as soon as the suspect received the marked money from the complainants.

A certification from SM Shoemart management showed that Francisco was not in any way connected with them and their affiliates. It added that the suspect was not authorized to transact business for and in behalf of the company.