2 investment ‘scams’ victimize 6 in Cebu City

CEBU CITY –– Two more “investment scams” have duped a group of people in Cebu, amassing thousands in cash from its supposed victims.

At least six persons went to the Police’s Anti Cybercrime Group in Central Visayas on Monday and complained about two online-based firms.

Police Master Sergeant Henry Abatayo, investigator of the Anti-Cybercrime Division, said they have started their probe against “Phoenix Trading” and “Positive Life Times 2.”

They are checking the remittance firms used in the transaction to find out the people behind the scam.

One of the firms promised investors to double their money in 15 days. They even have a promo that their money will double in just seven days.

The two online-based firms told the victims that their money would be invested at the Foreign Exchange trading.

One said she was able to invest P462,000 while another one said she invested at least P60,000.

One female complainant said she was able to get a payout on the first week of July. But when she re-invested her money, she was already blocked from contacting on Facebook a certain “Phoenix forex player” Ailen Villazar.

One of those who complained at the police is a victim of another investment scam, Organico, which was also shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission in June 2019.

Aside from Villazar, the names of those behind the so-called investment scams include also a certain Joseph San Jose and Karen Tan. Both, however, may have been using fake Facebook accounts, said the victims. /lzb