The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is intensifying its crackdown on unauthorized investment schemes, naming two entities, Ecocapsule and the HTX group, in its latest round of regulatory warnings.

In a formal advisory, the regulator stated that Ecocapsule is operating without the necessary corporate registration or a secondary license required to solicit funds from the public. The entity has been marketing a tiered investment structure labeled “mini’ and “large” levels.

Under the mini-level plan, Ecocapsule promises investors a maximum hourly income of ₱1,212.08, which purportedly totals ₱174,643.02 over a 60-day period. The large-level plan offers even more aggressive returns, claiming a daily income of as much as ₱43,411.02, or a total of ₱347,298.08 over an 80-day cycle.

The SEC found that the group’s operations extend beyond direct investments, incentivizing users to build “marketing teams” and recruit new members through commission-based structures. Such activities are prohibited under the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) if the entity lacks the specific permit to offer and sell securities.

The commission also flagged the HTX group, which encompasses several entities including HTX Cryptocurrency Exchange, Huobi Global Limited, and Huobi Global S.A. According to the regulator, these platforms offer digital asset trading and cryptocurrency derivatives without the required registration as a crypto-asset service provider.

The SEC has been increasingly vigilant regarding offshore exchanges that target Philippine residents without obtaining the local licenses designed to protect retail investors.

Beyond investment fraud, the commission raised the alarm regarding "APK" files—application packages that users are often tricked into downloading via text or social media. Scammers posing as bank representatives or government officials lure victims into installing these unauthorized files, which can then bypass security measures to intercept one-time passwords (OTPs) and harvest personal data. This access allows bad actors to execute unauthorized transfers or secure fraudulent loans in the victim’s name.

The SEC urged the public to immediately cease all dealings with the identified groups and to exercise extreme caution before downloading any software from unofficial sources.

To facilitate enforcement, the regulator has opened several channels for reporting suspicious online lending or investment activities, including the SEC unified hotline at 1-4732 and its dedicated iMessage Portal. Under Philippine law, those found acting as salesmen or promoters of unlicensed investment schemes can face stiff criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.