300 Makati employees duped in investment scam

Around 300 employees of a computer chip manufacturer based in Makati City were allegedly duped of more than P300 million in an investment scam in Makati City.

Five of their co-employees allegedly involved in the scam were apprehended by the Makati police yesterday based on the complaints of the victims.

Police identified the suspects as Melita Furto, 37; Imelda Furto, 43; Celestina Furto, 36; Reynaldo Furto, 34; and Fe Reyes, 41, all residents of #1265-C Apolinario street, Barangay Bangkal, Makati City. All five are involved with a trading company also located in same barangay.

According to the victims, they were offered an investment in the sale of pre-paid cell phone cards by Imelda Furto and Reyes. They were promised a return of P700 per week for every P12,500 they shell out as the minimum cash outlay.

The investment opportunity was offered exclusively for the employees of the company’s Makati City and Cavite offices.

Some of the victims claimed that they invested as much as P2 million in the company last year.

The investors were initially able to collect their profits from the company, but last Thursday they were surprised to find out that the office of Maria Touch Trading along Cailes street, Barangay Bangkal was already closed.

No notice was given to the investors, prompting them to file a complaint at the Makati police headquarters.

The five suspects are currently under the custody of the Makati police but none of them could provide the whereabouts of the owner of the trading firm, identified as Maria Nina Rebecca Marquez.

Most of the victims were still at the Makati police headquarters yesterday to file their respective affidavits against the trading company and its employees. – Marvin Sy