SEC warns against unauthorized investment schemes

TARLAKENYO (Oct. 12, 2023) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued several advisories against five companies engaging in unauthorized investment solicitations from the public.

The SEC is advising the public NOT TO INVEST or to STOP INVESTING in the investment schemes being offered by these entities.

1. HOPE ADVERTISEMENT MARKETING / HOPE FINANCIAL MARKETING OPC
This entity, headed by a certain Rizalyn Lopez, entices the public to invest online in a lock-in short-term or long-term investment plan for as low as Php1,000.00 for a 20% guaranteed profit in 8 days, up to Php50,000.00 for a 160% guaranteed profit in 40 days. However, prospective investors must note that this entity is not engaged in any legitimate business that would generate legitimate income.

2. MULTI-ASSET SOLUTION (MAS) / MULTI-ASSET FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES / JBF & GAINZ PHILIPPINES FOUNDERThis entity, headed by a certain Julie May Velasco Vergara, solicits investment from the public, purportedly to be invested in several income-generating activities such as heavy equipment rentals, cryptocurrency trading through different online trading platforms, casino VIP financing, and land development, and whose business names were not divulged. Accordingly, MAS entices the public to invest in three plans with a guaranteed profit of 30% up to 200% within 7 to 25 days, respectively.

3. MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT FIRM ELINYAPP / ELINY-PH.COM / ELINY_APP

This entity impersonates the leading American NYSE-listed global financial services firm, MORGAN STANLEY. It claims that it is an App owned by Morgan Stanley, which provides real-time investment based on the port container shipping index. It offers prospective investors a guaranteed 50% daily profit for a Php500.00 up to Php1,500.00 investment, a 10% referral bonus, and a daily salary of Php350.00 up to Php6,500.00.

4. HOPERICES INVESTMENT
This entity claims that it is an agriculture-sharing and entrepreneurship online platform launched by Liberty Group Limited in the U.S. It entices the public to invest in its two investment packages, where prospective investors may earn a 20% to 50% return on investment for Php640.00 and Php1,700.00 investment amounts, respectively.

5. 99DRAGONS PH

This entity solicits investments from the public, which it claims to be managed by professional traders and asset managers. Accordingly, prospective investors are guaranteed 125% up to 200% profit from a minimum amount of Php1,000 up to Php1,000,000 within 10 to 30 days, respectively.  

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, according to the SEC.

The Commission remains unwavering in its efforts to stamp out illegal investment-taking activities through financial literacy campaigns and advisories to the public. You may visit the SEC website at www.sec.gov.ph to learn more about the Commission’s enforcement actions and investor education campaign.

Report illegal activities like these to the SEC -Enforcement and Investor Protection Department. Just call the number: 𝟖𝟖𝟏𝟖-𝟔𝟎𝟒𝟕, or send an email to epd@sec.gov.ph, or visit the EIPD at 9/F, The SEC Headquarters, 7907 Makati Avenue, Salcedo Village, Brgy. Bel-Air, Makati City, or the nearest SEC Extension Office in your area.