Duped investors sue One Dream execs for syndicated estafa

A COMPLAINT for syndicated estafa has been filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against officers of a multi-level networking company that allegedly duped thousands of investors in the amount of almost P3 billion.

Facing complaint for syndicated estafa are One Dream head Arnel Gacer, vice president Jobelle de Guzman and other officers identified as Ariel Gacer, Richard Ramos, Jay-Ar de Guzman, Marlon de Guzman, Judith Itoh, Jun de Guzman, Lui de Guzman, Linda de Guzman and Joel de Guzman.

Based on the complaint, One Dream’s operation and recruitment of prospective investors were administered using the system profit scheme.

Under the scheme, there will be a “pay-in” of P888, which is equivalent to one slot, which will result to an “exit ” or “pay-out” of P1,300 after four days.

Additionally, the complainants said the company offered a P44 per slot as commission for every direct referral.

“Buoyed by our natural desire to similarly profit from such scheme and because of the company’s continuous assurance and pretensions that we will indeed profit, we placed various sums of money with the company and obtained several referrals,” the complainants claimed.

They added that the company officials gave them rags-to-riches stories where poor people became instant millionaires after being involved with One Dream.

The complainants, however, said they were surprised when on July 11, the company stopped its operation due to failure to pay the investing public.

“The acts of Gacer and the other respondents — the distribution of flyers, the spread of several hard copies of the profit making scheme, the act of telling ‘rags to riches’ stories, the absolute guarantee that it will only take four days to profit, the continuous assurance that our hard-earned money will undoubtedly earn profits — are clear indications of deceit and false pretenses and fraudulent acts executed prior to and simultaneous with the commission of frauds,” the complaints stated.

They added that One Dream has no permit to engage in investment products. Its Articles of Incorporation is for trading, buying and selling of various goods.

“Also, the fact that the respondents promised complaints and the investing public a 10 percent a day return of investment or a 300 percent monthly profit undoubtedly proves the deceitfulness of their actions and their clear intent to defraud,” the complainants stressed.

“The impossibility of the condition as promised by the respondents [is] clear false pretense which led to the defraudation of the general public,” they added.

The 18 complainants were accompanied by Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste and Lipa Mayor Meynardo Sabili in filing the complaint.