SEC warns public against 10 investment-taking entities

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised the public against dealing with the following entities due to their unauthorized solicitation of investments without the necessary license from the Commission:

1. FRESH DEALS

MEAT TRADING

This group has been enticing the public to join its private social media group on Facebook and register on its website to avail of its lucrative investment plans. For investments of P500 up to P500,000, investors are promised earnings of 20 percent daily or 300 percent within 15 days and an additional 15 percent commission through direct referrals.

2. LIFE BLESSING PHILIPPINES

This group, headed by one Michael Macayana, is offering investments with guaranteed returns of 25 percent up to 150 percent in 10 to 40 days allegedly through forex trading and online casino business. It actively posts on its Facebook page, Lifeblessing Philippines, a list of investment plans where investors may choose their preferred type of account and its corresponding investment amount and profit return.

3. SALIG PHILIPPINES

This entity named Salig Philippines/Salig Phils./Salig Philippines Foundation/Salig Philippines Inc. and Society of the Advocate of Lights Philippines Inc., headed by one Ireneo T. Daligdigan Jr., also known as Jun Daligdigan, has been offering investments where a minimum investment of P5,800 is promised to earn 30 percent after 30 days. Although the Society of the Advocate of Lights Philippines Inc. was registered with the Commission as a non-stock corporation, it is not authorized to issue, sell or offer for sale securities to the public nor undertake business activities requiring a secondary license. Its registration was already suspended by the Commission.

4. SEVEN CO

This group has been enticing the public to invest in its business scheme entitled Seven Co Investment & Online Paluwagan / Seven Co Profit Sharing & Online Paluwagan with a promise of high profits. Through social media posts, it advertises guaranteed earnings of 20 percent and 30 percent for 10 and 15 days of investing, respectively.

5. GEMINI TRUST

COMPANY LLC

This entity, through its website, has launched a product called Gemini Derivatives and is openly offering this product that involves offering of derivatives, which is a form of “securities.” But this entity is not registered with the SEC and operates without the necessary license and/or authority to solicit, accept or take investments/placements from the public nor to issue securities.

6. PROLAYER EGG

LAYER POULTRY FARMING

This unregistered entity with this Commission purportedly engaged in the egg poultry farming business through social media platforms, promising investor-members earnings of five percent daily for 30 days or equivalent to a total of 150 percent return on investment. Investor-members are also guaranteed to receive commissions through direct and indirect referrals.

7. QZ ASSET MANAGEMENT

This entity has been enticing the public to invest in its investment plans: called the “Basic Plan” with a minimum amount of $100 up to $900 and the “Elite Plans” with a minimum amount of $1,000 and above. It promises investors guaranteed earnings of 0.5 percent up to one percent daily, 3.5 percent up to seven percent weekly, and 15 percent up to 30 percent monthly, and other rewards and bonuses.

8. CRYPTO HUB FINANCE

This group has been enticing the public to join its social media group and register on its website to avail of its investment plans. It offers investments with a minimal amount of P2,786.38 with promised earnings of up to two percent daily for 75 days, and a five percent affiliate bonus with five percent additional cashback.

9. ENJOY PH

This group has been enticing the public to invest online with promised daily earnings of three percent up to 3.5 percent profit in 60 days. An investor must invest in its equity allotment plans amounting to P1,100 up to P17,600 to receive the said profit.

10. SHOPRO

INTERNATIONAL

This group has been enticing the public through social media platforms to invest in the said entity by merely following these three steps: complete the daily assigned tasks, refer a friend, and earn a bonus every time their respective team completes the said tasks. An investor is urged to subscribe to the entity by investing an amount ranging from $100 to $10,000 and reach a certain level depending on the subscription fee. In addition, investors can earn a minimum of 3.5 percent commission and other bonuses for referrals and completion of tasks.

According to the SEC, some of these groups’ investment schemes or actions resemble a pyramid/Ponzi scheme, where investors earn through recruitment fees instead of the sale of actual products/services, and investors are paid using the contribution of new members.

The SEC said it has remained steadfast in its efforts to stamp out illegal investment-taking activities through financial literacy campaigns and advisories to the public. The public is urged to visit www.sec.gov.ph to learn more about the SEC’s enforcement actions and investor education campaign. (PR)