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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider SEC flags scammers impersonating COL Financial, Alpha Securities

SEC flags scammers impersonating COL Financial, Alpha Securities

Published Oct 14, 2025 03:47 pm
SEC Chairman Francis Lim
SEC Chairman Francis Lim
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning the public against engaging with individuals or groups who falsely represent themselves as part of COL Financial Group and use the name and logo of Alpha Securities Corp. without authority.
In an advisory, the SEC flagged certain individuals or groups who falsely represented themselves as personnel or representatives of COL Financial Group to lure and scam the public.
Under the scheme, scammers impersonating current or former COL personnel told their victims that money they previously lost in other scams had been reinvested in COL.
To withdraw the supposed investments, victims were required to pay multiple fees, including so-called “tax fees.” However, the funds were not returned, and the scammers continued to impose additional payments until the victims stopped complying.
The SEC also warned that certain individuals are using the name and logo of Alpha Securities Corporation without authority to perpetrate an investment scam.
Meanwhile, the SEC is also warning the public against dealing with De Guzman Consumer Goods Trading and a certain individual named Christabel Arroyo due to their unauthorized solicitation of investments.
The SEC stated that it has found De Guzman Consumer Goods Trading to be inviting the public through Facebook to become an investor or co-partner in its farming and trading business, with promises of potential returns of 60 percent to 200 percent within 30 to 60 days.
However, it is not registered as a corporation or partnership and does not have the required license to solicit investments.
Meanwhile, a certain individual named Christabel Arroyo has been found offering investment opportunities involving bitcoin mining trading, without the required certificate of registration from the SEC to conduct such activities. T
Through her Facebook account, Arroyo entices the public to invest a minimum capital of ₱5,000 with a promised earning of ₱50,000 within 24 hours.
“The Commission remains unwavering in its efforts to stamp out illegal investment-taking activities through financial literacy campaigns and advisories to the public,” said the SEC.

Related Tags

Securities and Exchange Commission COL Financial Alpha Securities Corporation De Guzman Consumer Goods Trading
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