OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Caraga Region seized Wednesday evening, June 26, cash amounting to P23 million from the office of a company suspected of engaging in an investment scam in Agusan del Sur.
In a report, the CIDG said it received information that the FRX Rice Trading located in Barangay Cubi-cubi, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte was running an unregistered investment scheme and was about to make payouts to clients in the municipality of Talacogon.
Caraga police arrested Bernard Dela Cruz, 23, FRX manager. A traffic accident led to the arrest of the suspect in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte Thursday, June 27.
Dela Cruz, resident of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, was placed in police custody when his driven Ford Raptor hit a motorcycle in Barangay 2, Buenavista town.
Police believe Bernard and his sister Dimber Celiz, manager of "Forex" or "FRX Rice Trading" investment firm, were about to escape when the incident took place. His sister Dimber was able to evade arrest, using another vehicle.
“Through follow-up investigation, the safehouse of Forex was located. Immediately, I ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 13 to launch the operation in Barangay Cubi-Cubi, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte around 7:30 p.m.,” said Brigadier General Gilberto DC Cruz, PNP Caraga director.
Large-scale estafa charges are being prepared against the suspects.
Cruz urged the victims to file their complaints at the office of CIDG Caraga in Camp Col. Rafael C. Rodriguez, Butuan City as the case of large-scale estafa has been prepared against the manager and her cohorts.
As CIDG operatives neared Talacogon, the informant called again, saying the people behind FRX have fled toward Butuan City.
The P23-million cash was found in storage boxes sealed with packaging tape. Also found inside the boxes were money counting machines and several log books.
Lieutenant Colonel Cholijun Caduyac, CIDG-Caraga chief, said that based on reports, the investors failed to receive the payout equivalent to 30 percent of their principal as promised by the company.
He said charges for violation of the Securities Regulation Code will be filed against the people behind the investment scheme. (With Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo of SunStar Philippines)