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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider SEC warns on firms impersonating lenders to peddle loans

SEC warns on firms impersonating lenders to peddle loans

Published Apr 27, 2026 12:00 am  |  Updated Apr 25, 2026 01:53 pm
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has intensified its crackdown on corporate identity theft, warning the public against three entities that are impersonating registered firms to peddle unauthorized loan products.
In an advisory, the commission flagged the operations of Peso Maya and Pesolending, identifying these as unrecorded online lending platforms that have been illegally using the corporate name of Micropinnacle Technology Corp. to solicit clients.
Micropinnacle has formally denied any affiliation with the platforms, prompting the regulator to remind the public that only financing and lending companies with verified registrations and recorded online platforms are legally permitted to operate in the country.
The commission also identified a fraudulent website, operating under the domain projectduetech.com, which has misrepresented itself as an affiliate of Project Duo Integrated Communications Corp. The
The site allegedly offers various financial services and loan products without the necessary licenses.
The SEC said these activities “exhibit hallmarks of fraudulent and deceptive schemes,” including corporate impersonation and potential misuse of personal data. These acts are not sanctioned by the SEC and are not part of Project Duo's legitimate operations.
Additionally, the SEC issued an advisory against individuals and entities misrepresenting themselves as affiliates of Carmen Credit 888 Corporation.
Reports received by the SEC indicate that these unscrupulous actors are using the company’s name to deceive the public through the use of fake logos, fraudulent social media accounts, unauthorized websites, and online lending platforms that are not authorized or recorded with the Commission.
Their schemes usually involve advance-fee loan scam, wherein victims were required to pay upfront fees before releasing their purported loans.
The SEC encourages members of the public who have encountered similar schemes to submit complaints, reports, or any relevant information to the SEC Hotline at 1-4732 (1-4SEC), or through the SEC iMessage Portal at https://imessage.sec.gov.ph
The Commission stressed that it 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 know more about the Commission’s enforcement actions and investor education campaigns.

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