Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

NBI NCR

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759475763342cropped-viber_image_2025-10-03_14-59-11 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Their modus operandi involved recruiting investors to finance loans for supposed retired soldiers, collecting processing fees, and misappropriating the proceed, while providing only minimal returns to investors and borrowers. NBI-NCR via Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation arrested a woman during a Sept. 30 operation for allegedly running an illegal investment scheme that targeted military pensioners, including retired members of the Philippine Navy, Army, and Air Force.</p><p>According to authorities, the group solicited investments from the public without the required license from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), promising high returns.</p><p>Their modus operandi involved recruiting investors to finance loans for supposed retired soldiers, collecting processing fees, and misappropriating the proceed, while providing only minimal returns to investors and borrowers. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>VICTIMS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>One of victims, Retired Commander Bernard Jacob of the Philippine Navy, shared that he lost most of his retirement money after being convinced by an agent to invest while waiting for his pension.</p><p>He had hoped to use the funds for a business, but instead received bouncing checks.</p><p>&quot;Naaawa po ako sa wife ko kasi nangako ako na may retirement money, ang problema di ko naibigay. Naghahanap ako ng trabaho, supposed to be retired na ako eh,&quot; Jacob said.</p><p>Another victim, Retired 2nd Lt. Napoleon Ostil, 75, borrowed P500,000 and invested it after being promised a 10 to 15 percent monthly return.</p><p>&quot;Meron kaming agreement na ibibigay niya sakin 15 percent buwan buwan. 10 percent buwan buwan. August, September, October, November. Pagdating ng December medyo nagloloko-loko na ito. Binibigyan na lang sampung libo,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MILITARY COMMUNITY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>According to NBI, the suspect’s late husband was also a soldier, so she was well-connected within the military community.</p><p>&quot;Ito po kasing subject natin ay ang asawa niya ay men in uniform din so magkakakakilala. Ito ngang ginamit nating pang entrap ay nagpapahulugan sa loob ng kampo, so magkakakilala to,&quot; said Agent Henry Roxas who led the entrapment operation.</p><p>Authorities conducted an entrapment following a complaint, which led to the suspect’s arrest.</p><p>The suspect is now facing charges of swindling (estafa) and violations of the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act (RA 11765) and the Securities Regulation Code (RA 8799).</p><p>&quot;Make sure check with SEC kung itong nangangalap ng investment ay merong tinatawag na secondary license. It&#x27;s not enough na registered sila sa SEC. Securing a secondary license, that&#x27;s protecting your investment, protecting your money,&quot; said NBI-NCR Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IaSIlKuLe6o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OqnxP61zzZc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The woman was allegedly running an illegal investment scheme that targeted military pensioners, including retired members of the Philippine Navy, Army, and Air Force.</p>

The woman was allegedly running an illegal investment scheme that targeted military pensioners, including retired members of the Philippine Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Woman arrested for illegal investment scam targeting military pensioners

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Woman arrested for illegal investment scam targeting military pensioners

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 03, 2025 03:25 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 03, 2025 03:28 PM PHT

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National Bureau of Investigation

Quezon City

Entrapment operation

Security and Exchange Commission

NBI

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