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Manila Bulletin devider devider Former town councilor, 10 others charged for P60-M investment scam

Former town councilor, 10 others charged for P60-M investment scam

Published Jul 31, 2018 01:22 pm
By Erwin Beleo CAMP OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union – Various cases are being filed by the prosecutor’s office against former town councilor, live-in partner, and his 8 employees for alleged multimillion-pesos investment scam in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. (photo by Pixabay) Manila Bulletin (photo by Pixabay) Manila Bulletin According to Police Regional Office 1 Director Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, identified the suspects as former Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan municipal councilor Renato Gabiola; his live-in partner Sharmaine Junio Castillo also known as “Shamee,” from Bayambang, Pangasinan, who is allegedly a mastermind in the scam. Aside from these couple, their 9 employees are also being filed charges. These are Mhay Ann Lanuza from Manaoag; Kristine Coleen Ada Martin from Laoac; Camille Cyree dela Cruz from San Nicolas; Haydee Marie Andrada E. Ramos; Hannah Cristina Marquez, Aurelia N. Marquez, all from Urdaneta City; Janice E. Daluzong from Dagupan City, all in Pangasinan province; while Richelle B. Pangilinan from Baguio City, all of them were arrested and at the custody of Urdaneta police station. However, “Gabiola and his live-in partner Castillo together with their other employee identified as Chenyenne Pearl G. Nelvis also known “Chin-chin” from La Union are still at-large,” Sapitula said. According to their modus operandi in the use of electronic modes Facebook social media “Urdaneta Buy and Sell”, this couple offered investors or members to receive large interest in a week. 50 percent of their money will have their profit shares in just 7 or 10 days due to selling C and G Dry Goods “ukay-ukay” company located in Barangay Camantiles, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Members are being told to give their investment (money) through bank-to-bank basis, in return the large interest will also given in a bank. “It was not yet clear on the exact number of victims of the said investment scam, and how much money was being run by suspects due to still on goes members are being filed charges in the police station, and also further investigation,” Sapitula added. However, during the Inquest proceeding conducted by Asst. City Prosecutor Marco L. Bernardo, separate cases for the crime of estafa were already filed. It was learned that about 1,000 victims of the investment scam, and most of them are oversees Filipino workers (OFWs), and it was told that about P60 million estimated money are being poured on the said investment firm. The Police Regional Office 1 pursues to locate all involved personnel in the said organized investment scam and stop any further activities of said group.
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