Ayala Corp. warns of investment scam using fake Spinneys accounts
Ayala Corp. issued a public warning on Saturday, Feb. 7, regarding fraudulent investment scheme that has misappropriated the company’s brand to solicit funds through unauthorized social media accounts.
The Zobel-led holding company said in a statement that scammers are operating under the name “Spinneys Philippines,” utilizing an unofficial Facebook page and a Viber account to lure investors.
The fraudulent entities are leveraging Ayala’s corporate reputation to promote investment opportunities that falsely promise guaranteed returns, a common red flag in digital financial scams.
The conglomerate clarified that it has no affiliation with Spinneys Philippines and does not endorse any of the activities conducted by these accounts.
The fraudulent operations primarily target users on Facebook under the handle @spinneysphilippines2025 and on the messaging app Viber via @spineysph.
Ayala officials emphasized that the corporation only disseminates official financial communications and investment news through its verified corporate channels and its official website.
The rise in sophisticated phishing and investment scams has prompted Philippine blue-chip firms to take a more aggressive stance on public disclosures. Ayala’s warning comes as digital platforms see an increase in bad actors “spoofing” or mimicking the branding of established listed firms to deceive the public into transferring funds under the guise of legitimate business ventures.
"We reiterate our call for heightened vigilance as scammers increasingly use the names of reputable organizations to bait potential victims," the company said.
Ayala advised the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering online content or unsolicited investment offers that appear too good to be true, particularly those requiring immediate transfers of Philippine pesos.
The Zobel-led conglomerate, which holds diversified interests in real estate, banking, and telecommunications, noted that staying informed through authenticated sources is the most effective defense against the proliferation of digital fraud.
The company is working to address the misuse of its intellectual property on these platforms but urged individual investors to perform due diligence before committing any capital.