Never entrust your money with people whose promises are ‘too good to be true’.
A multi-level marketing firm based in Batangas stopped its operations without prior notice; prompting its investors to file complaints at the Department of Justice.
GMA reported on Tuesday that One Dream Marketing, Inc. is facing charges for syndicated estafa for operating beyond its line of business and recruiting investors using the system profit scheme commonly known in the Philippines as “networking”.
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| Arnel Gacer and Jobelle de Guzman |
“Buoyed by our natural desire to similarly profit from such scheme and because of the company’s continuous assurance and pretensions that we will indeed profit, we placed various sums of money with the company and obtained referrals,” the complainants stated in their affidavit; explaining why they decided to invest in the business.
Atty. Arman Pan of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) attested that One Dream Marketing is only registered with the SEC as a business engaged in selling health products and food supplements. He also added that the corporation is not entitled to serve as broker or dealer in securities and act as investment adviser to anyone.
In the mode used by the company, an amount of P888 is required from a prospective investor in order to gain a slot in the corporation. Those who pay the fee were promised with an exit pay-out of P1,300 in just a matter of four days.
Victims said that representatives from the company even exhibited photographs showing other investors who supposedly became ‘instant millionaires’ after joining One Dream, and as an added reward to its members, the firm pledged an additional earning of P44 for every successful referral that they can make.
The victims have filed syndicated estafa complaint against One Dream’s officers for the alleged scam which has shockingly reached P3 billion in the form of investments.
“The impossibility of the conditions as promised by the respondents is clear false pretenses which led to the defraudation of the general public,” the investors said in their complaint.
Respondents include Arnel Gacer and Jobelle de Guzman, president and vice president, respectively, and corporate officers Ariel Gacer, Richard Ramos, Jay-Ar de Guzman, Marlon de Guzman, Judith Itoh, Jun de Guzman, Luis de Guzman, Linda de Guzman, and Joel de Guzman.
Meanwhile, Lipa City Mayor Meynardo Sabili tried to communicate with the officials of One Dream Marketing, but failed to get a response. The company’s representatives only gave an assurance that the investors’ money are “in good hands”.
Moreover, One Dream’s sister company named Freedom Life Advanced Global Prosperity Marketing, Inc. (FLAG) is also facing similar charges.
Know more about this scam from this news video by GMA 7: