MANILA, Philippines -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched a manhunt for a computer company sales agent who allegedly gypped a technical marketing specialist of a land surveying firm of P1.6 million in investment.

NBI Special Task Force (STF) officials filed charges of estafa and violation of Batasan Pambansa 22 or the Bouncing Checks Law against Arlene Navarro, an employee of the E.D. Machines, of Bacood, Sta. Mesa, Manila, before the Manila prosecutor?s office.

NBI-STF executive officer Tony Yu said that the case stemmed from the complaint lodged by Celina Mendiola, a technical marketing specialist of the Geo-Surveys and Mapping Incorporated (GSMI), of Manggahan, Pasig City.

In her complaint, Mendiola claimed that sometime in July, 2001, when she was still the head of the GSMI management information system, she met Navarro who was offering computer supplies to different companies.

In September, 2007, Navarro allegedly convinced Mendiola to invest money with her, assuring her that each invested centavo is guaranteed a 10 percent profit. The series of transactions went without a hitch with Mendiola receiving returns to her initial investment.

This persuaded her to invest some P1.6 million on August, 2008, after Navarro assured her that she had managed to close a deal with buyers f computer supplies buyers. Navarro allegedly promised to give her the profits before the end of the month.

But by September 2008, the money was still not given to Mendiola. Instead, Navarro allegedly promised to deposit P700,000 as initial payment to her bank account but she reportedly reneged on her pledge.

Two months after, Navarro proceeded to the office of Mendiola to ask her for an extension to pay off her obligation to which the complainant readily agreed.

On February 21, 2009, Navarro issued a check amounting to P1.6 million but it bounced as the bank said that the cash was being drawn from a closed account.

Mendiola then demanded for the payment of the obligation, both orally and in written form, but Navarro allegedly refused to acknowledge the receipt of her demands prompting her to file a complaint with the NBI.

Although subpoenaed, Navarro reportedly refused to appear before the agency to shed light on the complaint. This prompted the NBI to file an estafa and violation of BP 22 against her before the city prosecutor?s office.