Events organizer taggedin P20-million investment scam

MANILA, Philippines - Southern Police District (SPD) police officers arrested Wednesday an events organizer who reportedly bilked eight people she convinced to invest at least P20 million in a prepaid cards business.

A team led by Inspector Dominador Bufete of the SPD-Intelligence Operations Unit (IOU) apprehended Flordecita Sacbibit, 30, at a mall in Pasay City.

Superintendent Adolfo Samala, chief of the SPD-Intelligence Division, said Bufete’s group rushed to the area after one of the complainants relayed information that Sacbibit can be found there.

The policemen brought with them a warrant of arrest issued by Cavite Regional Trial Court Judge Manuel Mayo after Sacbibit was charged with estafa by her alleged victims, including Fernando Legazpi.

Chief Inspector Allan Umipig, head of the SPD-IOU, said only three of Sacbibit’s eight alleged victims have filed a formal case against her. The three victims claimed Sacbibit bilked them of P20 million.

Umipig said Sacbibit, who is into the cellphone prepaid card business, promised her victims that by investing in her business, each of them would earn profits of as much as 15 to 20 percent a month.

The complainants alleged that Sacbibit disappeared after they gave her their money. They also alleged that Sacbibit claims she is a former staff of Sen. Loren Legarda and used the senator’s name in her transactions.

Samala said Sacbibit, who is detained at the SPD detention center, can still post bail. He added that they are still conducting a follow-up investigation to determine if she has people helping her in her alleged investment scam.

Sacbibit has reportedly been operating in Cavite, Makati and Pasig. Umipig encouraged Sacbibit’s other reported victims to file a formal complaint at the SPD.