By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation-Antique District Office (NBI-ANDO) has apprehended three individuals, including one school teacher, operating a get-rich scheme firm preying on students, the agency said Wednesday.
The NBI identified the suspects as Jose Rommel Chavez, Jose Dioric Chavez, and Annaliza Javier, officers of Growth Synergy Development (GSD), an investment company operating in San Jose, Antique.
They were brought before the provincial prosecutor’s office on Sept. 1 for violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Presidential Decree 1869 (Syndicated Estafa), Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), and Republic Act No. 8799 (Securities Regulation Code).
The NBI said the three enticed the public, mostly students and barangay residents, to join their financial investment scheme, promising high profits in a short period.
The manager, Jose Rommel, a teacher at a local college, allegedly took advantage of his position to persuade his students to invest. He operated from his office in San Jose, Antique, assisted by Jose Dioric and Javier.
The GSD allowed complainants to experience a few initial payouts, which earned the business a false sense of trustworthiness.
However, after the victims poured more of their money into the scheme, the business suddenly collapsed, and they could no longer access their accounts.
It was also discovered that GSD does not hold a secondary license from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is required to solicit investments from the public.
On Aug. 30, around 50 angry investors went to the NBI-ANDO to file their respective complaints.
The NBI has since recorded 95 complaints. (PNA)
