The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning the public against groups and individuals taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to defraud investors and consumers.
In separate advisories, the SEC has flagged at least 14 groups engaged in unauthorized investment-taking activities and other fraudulent activities since the declaration of a national public health emergency.
In its most recent advisories, the SEC urged the public to stop investing in MAGINVESTKA.ONLINE (MIK.O), which purportedly trades Bitcoin against the US dollar, and Azenzo-Online, which supposedly operates as an independent crowdfunding platform.
MIK.O is operated by a person or persons using the pseudonym “Mag Forex.” It entices the public to invest with a guaranteed 2% return daily or 200% in total for a period of 100 days.
Azenzo-Online, meanwhile, boasts about a “Deposit-Donation, Withdrawal-Blessing” scheme similar to that of Kapa-Community Ministry International. It promises a 30% return in as early as five, 10 or 15 days and a 100% “Donation Return” after 20 days.
Based on the records of the agency, neither MIK.O nor Azenzo-Online registered as a corporation or partnership. Furthermore, they did not secure prior registration or license to solicit investments from the public.
The SEC also flagged the activities of individuals and groups using the names of certain foundations or representing themselves as such.
The agency particularly warned the public against a text scam using the name of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Under the scheme, one would receive a text message stating that he or she won P750,000 from the “President: Rodrigo Duterte Charity Foundation” through an electronic raffle.
Based on SEC’s records, President: Rodrigo Duterte Charity Foundation is not registered as a corporation. Those who engage in text scams also face criminal prosecution for violation of the Revised Penal Code, the Cyber Crime Law, and Data Privacy Act, according to the SEC.
In addition, Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, penalizes those participating in cyber incidents that make use or take advantage of the current crisis to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts with two-month imprisonment or a maximum fine of P1 million or both.
“We encourage the public to carefully study and examine offers and invitations to participate in schemes promising easy money especially in these difficult times,” SEC chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said.
“On our part, the Commission will continue monitoring investment-solicitation activities online and on the ground to stop unscrupulous groups from putting any other burden on Filipinos, especially the vulnerable, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.”
