AT LEAST four policemen including an official from the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao and two teachers, all from Cagayan de Oro City, have pressed charges against the founder of the Freedom Traders Club (FTC) and its controversial Ploutus Coin investment scheme.

The police official who refused to be identified said they have filed syndicated estafa charges and violation of Batas Pambansa 22 or the act penalizing the making of a check without sufficient funds against Mark Freeman before the City Prosecutors Office last October 19.

He also did not mention the other complainants so as not to compromise their legal move.

The group have invested millions of pesos to Freeman in exchange of the promised monthly big returns.

However, Freeman did not make good of his promise as they no longer receive the payouts starting last May.

Freeman also failed to return the money last September as what he promised during the hearing of the City Council's committee on trade and commerce.

The police official was earlier heard in a radio interview defending the FTC and Ploutus Coin but the group decided to bring the case to the court after losing contact with Freeman.

"I told sa interview nga as long as he will fulfill his words and promise that he will return the money on the 1st and 2nd week of September then I will continue to stand by him, but wala niya tumana iyang promise," he said.

The group gave Freeman a one month extension but it still failed until they lost contact with him.

The police official also said the checks issued by Freeman have all bounced.

"Nag-issue sa checke sa amo pero talbog man unya dili na siya mag-communicate sa amo so wala nami choice. Last niya nga communicate sa amo is October 2," he said.

The group, however, said they are open for settlement as long as Freeman returns their money.

"If he will give back our money of course kay mao man among tuyo. Lisod pud ug iya ibalik unya dili namo dawaton," he added.

(It will be unusual if he will return the money and we will not accept it)