Aman investments scam: NBI-7 to directly file case at DOJ

CEBU, Philippines - For speedy disposition of complaints involving the investment scam, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will directly file the complaints before the Office of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

NBI supervising agent Renan Oliva said Secretary Leila de Lima was already aware of the enormity of the problem due to the numbers of the complainants.

The NBI Central Office in Manila is responsible for the filing of the complaints before the DOJ.

“As I understand it will directly be filed before the DOJ. This matter has already been elevated to the DOJ,” he said.

Oliva added that after the scam broke out in the news, at least ten complainants went to their office in NBI-7.

“We received at least 10 complaints against the Aman Group Philippines.

The complainants’ submitted proof showing bank receipts and receipts issued by the company as proof they were really victims of the investment scam,” he said.

As of October 15, 2012, Oliva said they received directives from lawyer Virgilio Mendez, deputy director of the Regional Operations Services to entertain victims of the said investment scam. He added they were tasked to get their statements and evidence as proof.

Thereafter, he said the evidences they gathered will be forwarded to their Central Office before Mendez.

Based on the complaints filed before the NBI, Allan Dianalan of Guadalupe, Norhabib Condin, Ann Monica Urbina, Faisal Salic, Ayubkhan Conding and Agakhan Dianalan of Capitol Site stated that they invested in Aman Group Philippines Inc.

The other two complainants were Derrick Yap and Philip Yap.

At least ten victims invested about P106, 909, 399.

As of the last week of October, complaints for syndicated estafa in large scale were filed before the Prosecutor’s Office in Pagadian against Manuel Amalilio, chairman of Aman Future Trading and his accomplices.

Oliva said their office is now waiting for the warrant of arrest against the people behind the scam. He, however, told the media not to divulge the names of the alleged accomplices of Amalilio until the warrant of arrest is issued.

Based on reports, there were two members of the board who are in Cebu but after reports broke out, the two cannot be contacted.

Oliva said that in behalf of their office and Director Edward Villarta, they are calling for other victims of the scam to go to their office and to file their complaints.

Meanwhile, one of the victims, Conding, a businessman, told the media that he first invested P150,000 at Aman Group sometime in August, 2012.

After 17 days, he said its interest closed at 63 percent. With that, he said he invested more totaling to P7 million.

Conding was appealing to Amalilio and others to give back their principal money invested.

“I don’t know what to do. My only concern now to get back the money we invested… Pinatigil ko ang mga anak ko sa pag-aaral kasi may threat na for their safety,” he said.

He added he saw Amalilio’s apology in YouTube. He added that if Amalilio and others have nothing to do with the scam, then they must submit themselves to the authorities and prove their innocence.

Likewise, he said he learned that the Aman Group has a satellite office in Cebu City, particularly at Keppel building in Business Park. He wanted to get the principal money they invested but he was told to get the necessary documents. He added he went to Pagadian and returned to Cebu within three days but the office in Keppel was already closed.—/MIT (FREEMAN)