PNP intensifies anti-scam crackdown

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its crackdown on fraudulent investment schemes following the arrest of an online-famous businesswoman accused of defrauding investors of P160 million, PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced Monday.

Nartatez said the heightened operations and public awareness drives follow directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to step up measures against financial fraud.

The PNP chief cautioned the public against investment offers promoted by social media personalities, stressing that online popularity and a visible business operation do not guarantee financial safety.

“Not everything that we see on social media is true; therefore, we advise the public to be extra vigilant in order not to fall victim to investment scams,” Nartatez said.

“Just because someone is popular on social media does not mean we should automatically trust them. Verify that their income-generating offers are legitimate,” he added.

The warning comes after police arrested a female entrepreneur at a casino in Pasay City. The suspect had gained online prominence through her food business.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly enticed over a hundred investors by promising guaranteed monthly returns of 5 percent on capital placed into her food enterprise, leveraging the existence of her physical business to build trust.

Nartatez pledged to expand intelligence-gathering and field operations targeting fraudulent schemes, warning that the PNP will actively track down individuals exploiting citizens seeking additional income.

“The PNP will continue to actively pursue those behind fraudulent investment schemes as we commit to protecting citizens who only want to earn a living,” Nartatez said, urging victims of similar financial scams to report to authorities immediately.