[Investor Alert] SEC Warns Against Five Investing Schemes

• JBF Goldminer International and Pamper Me Salon and Spa are offering investment contracts but are not registered with the SEC.
• Melon Plus is flagged as a pyramid scheme by the SEC.
• Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions / Beyond Skincare Solutions and Mono Mall are warned for unauthorized investment solicitation without SEC registration.

On September 11, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released another set of advisories against entities that solicit investments from the public without being properly licensed.

Recent SEC Advisories

• [Investor Alert] SEC Flags Investment Scams
• [Investor Alert] SEC Warns Public Against 8 Entities without License
• SEC Alerts Public About Unauthorized Investment Schemes in the Philippines
• [Investor Alert] SEC Flags Investment Scams: 10 Investment Schemes
• SEC Flags Down Unregistered White Dragon Investment Group
• SEC Warns Public Against Investing on B2B Trading Center OPC

New SEC Advisory

The SEC noted that the entities JBF Goldminer International and Pamper Me Salon and Spa are both offering an “investment contract,” which is a type of security–both firms are not registered with the Commission. The scheme of Melon Plus is also flagged as a pyramiding by the SEC. 

The public is also warned against the firms Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions / Beyond Skincare Solutions and Mono Mall for its unauthorized solicitation of investments from the public while not having secured prior registration and/or license to sell securities or solicit investments as prescribed under Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC).

Accordingly, the public is advised not to invest or to stop investing in the investment scheme being offered by these five entities. 

Further, for the people who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers, agents, representatives, promoters, recruiters, uplines, influencers, endorsers, abetters, and enablers of these firms in soliciting or convincing people to invest in its investment scheme may be held criminally liable under the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act and the Securities Regulation Code. The penalties include a maximum fine of Php5,000,000 or imprisonment of 21 years or both.

The Five Investing Schemes

 JBF Goldminer International

According to the Commission, it received reports regarding individuals or groups claiming to represent JBF Goldminer International (formerly Gold De Luck) who are promoting investment opportunities on social media. 

The SEC stated that JBF Goldminer International asserts itself as a leading gold mining investment company focused on maximizing the value of gold through responsible mining practices and partnerships. They claim to offer a highly profitable investment opportunity with a daily profit rate of 10% over 30 days. The company is led by CEO Jinky Bautista Franco.

Pamper Me Salon and Spa

The advisory is issued in response to reports received by the Commission about individuals or groups representing Pamper Me Salon and Spa, which is soliciting investments from the public by promising substantial monetary rewards.

The SEC reported that the entity, led by Trina Rodriguez Dela Rosa, is soliciting investments starting at ₱50,000 for the purported expansion of its salon branches. 

The entity guarantees the return of the principal investment within 6 months, and offers a monthly interest rate of 10% for a ₱50,000 investment, 20% for ₱100,000, 25% for ₱200,000, and 35% for ₱500,000 or more.

Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions / Beyond Skincare Solutions

The Commission issued an advisory against Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions / Beyond Skincare Solutions as it received inquiries and reports of enticing the public to invest money with the promise of monetary rewards or profits. 

The entity is operated by Chief Operating Officer Ms. Chanda Atienza and Admin and Finance Manager Ms. Venus Eunizel Gonda. It offers an investment opportunity under its “Franchise Partner Agreement,” which guarantees a 12.6% interest return every quarter for 5 years, along with complimentary services such as 50% discounts on Dermacare / Dr. White and Glow Services and Products, 20% discounts on Doctors Services, and more. 

Melon Plus/Primelogix Marketing Inc.

The Commission also received reports for the firm Melon Plus/Primelogix Marketing Inc. for enticing the public to invest in their company.  

According to the SEC, a prospective investor must purchase a minimum package worth ₱2,999 to become a subscriber or affiliate. Upon purchase, the investor is enticed with earning opportunities through multiple ways, including direct and indirect referral commissions, subscription box commissions, multi-tier commissions, indirect multi-tier commissions, and drop-shipping commissions (currently inactive).

The Commission notes that MELON PLUS is registered in Hong Kong and operates in the Philippines as Primelogix Marketing Inc., led by John Jerico Hayagan Operio and Jerwin Hayagan Operio. Although Primelogix Marketing Inc. is registered with the Commission as a corporation, it is not authorized to solicit investments from the public because it did not secure prior registration and/or license to solicit investments from the Commission.

Moreover, the SEC still identified its operation as a pyramid scheme— a plot that relies on recruiting new participants to generate returns.

Mono Mall

The SEC stated that Mono Mall claims to assist merchants in increasing product sales through online platforms like Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, Tiktok, and others. They offer tasks such as following TikTok users and completing assignments for merchants, with commissions ranging from 30% to 60%. They also promote the opportunity to participate in small tasks for additional commissions and achieve VIP status for higher earnings.

The Commission also disclosed that the entity’s claim of being registered with the SEC is false. The certificate that they present to the public is fake. The Commission stated that a Certificate of Incorporation grants legal status to an entity, but it does not authorize or license the corporation to engage in activities that require a secondary license from the SEC, such as issuing, offering, and/or selling securities or conducting investment-related activities.

This article is published on BitPinas: [Investor Alert] SEC Warns Against Five Investing Schemes

Disclaimer:

• Before investing in any cryptocurrency, it is essential that you carry out your own due diligence and seek appropriate professional advice about your specific position before making any financial decisions.
• BitPinas provides content for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Your actions are solely your own responsibility. This website is not responsible for any losses you may incur, nor will it claim attribution for your gains.