AT LEAST 30 persons from different towns in Pampanga and Bulacan flocked to the police station in Masantol town to file cases against an alleged investment scammer.
The subject of complaints was a certain Ma. Carissa Pauli, who allegedly swindled millions of pesos from her supposed clients.
Her alleged scheme is offering a 3-in-1 investment package that includes health and life insurance, and a financial plan.
The suspect was arrested in Caloocan City on November 13 by virtue of warrant of arrest for alleged consummated swindling or estafa.
Upon learning of the incident, the suspect's victims immediately went to the police station to file their own complaints.
Among the complainants was Mercy Melo of Barangay Malauli, who allegedly invested some P5 million to Pauli back in 2015.
"Ang offer niya sa akin insurance plan sa isang kilalang kumpanya at naengganyo naman ako. Nung unang mga buwan, may binibigay pa sya na mga grocery hanggang sa pagkatapos noon, hindi ko na sya macontact," she said.
Aside from Melo, other individuals who invested P100,000 to P9.5 million also came to the police station to file their complaints.
"Ang strategy niya since my health plan nga, papapuntahin niya kami sa ospital kapag magpapacheck-up tapos may liason officer siya na kakausapin namin at mag-aasikaso ng papers at makakalabas naman kami so maniniwala ka talaga pero ang totoo pala, binabayaran lang nila personally," another complainant who requested anonymity said.
Melo said they filed complaints in the hope that the suspect cannot victimize more people again.
"Matagal na naman ito pero. Nung nangyari ito, nadepress ako at nagpagamot pa pero nakamove on na ako kaya lang ang gusto ko sana at wag na syang makapanloko ng iba," she said.
Masantol’s chief of police Major Leonardo Lacambra urged other victims, especially those from Masantol, to file their respective complaints to strengthen the case against the suspect.
"As of now, estafa palang ang case ng suspect kaya medyo mababa lang bail. Kung may iba pa na may hawak na warrant of arrest, pumunta na o magfile na ng case para lumakas itong kaso kasi," he said.
He also warned the public to be cautious of such schemes that intend to fool people for cash.
“Marami na ngayon na talagang manloloko para sa pera kaya sana maging mapanuri para maiwasan na mabiktima,” he said.