Manhunt on for brains of P2-B investment scam

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nestor Mantaring said yesterday they will coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to determine the whereabouts of a Filipino-Chinese businessman allegedly behind a P2.1-billion investment scam.

Complainant Myrna Calingo went to the NBI head office yesterday to ask for help in finding Cyrus Yap Hao, said to be the president of the Royal Manchester Five Trading Corp. (RMF), who allegedly duped her of her investment. She did not say how much she invested.

Calingao said she joined the firm in 2005 and was promised a monthly profit of five percent. She became alarmed after some of the firm’s investors complained of bouncing checks, insufficient funds or being unable to withdraw their money because the bank account was closed.

She learned that Hao, who was billeted at the One San Miguel condominium building in Ortigas, Pasig City, allegedly left the country on March 5.

It was earlier reported that more than 3,000 people invested in RMF. Some of the reported investors were basketball players Rafi Reavis, who shelled out P8.9 million; Johnny Abarrientos and his wife, Mary Ann, P9.4 million; Mark Macapagal, P2.5 million; Edward Juinio, P7.2 million; and former coach Eric Altamirano and his wife, Marissa, P1.2 million.

Mantaring urged other complainants to come forward and file charges.