The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned the public on its website from investing their hard-earned money in unregulated investment schemes that specifically eyes public school teachers.
As per SEC’s advisory, an entity is operating under multiple programs such as Teachers Financial Coaching Program (TFCP) , Teachers Financial Freedom Program (TFFP) , Elite Teachers Financial Program (ETFP) and Teachers Financial Program (TFP) which are confirmed unregistered by the commission. These investment programs entice public school teachers to obtain a loan and invest an amount of Php 115,000.00 in exchange for Royale beauty products, food supplements, and cheques amounting to Php 10,500.00.
The investment scheme also offers training seminars on financial literacy and a promise of debt-free life, double net-pay, car ownership, travel incentives and savings. The investors, however, are required to recruit new members to further receive Php 11,000.00 for every person they recruit.
“The public is hereby informed that based on the records of the commission, Teachers Financial Coaching Program, Teachers Financial Freedom Program, Elite Teachers Financial Program, and Teachers Financial Program is not registered with the commission either as a corporation or a partnership,” SEC said.
SEC also added that the said company was not given an authorization to solicit investment from the public without prior registration as prescribed by the Securities Regulation Code.
Any person or entity found guilty of such illegal investment scheme , including solicitations and recruitment through the internet, might also be held criminally liable and penalized with a maximum fine of P5 million or penalty of 21 years of imprisonment or both.
“In view of the foregoing, the public is hereby advised to exercise self-restraint from investing their money into such high-yield, high-risk investment scheme and to take the necessary precaution in dealing with individuals representing the above-named entity,” the SEC said.
For suspicious investment schemes, you may contact the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department of the SEC through e-mail at epd@sec.gov.ph or through landline at (02) 8818-6337. For malicious messages, lodge reports to the NBI Anti-Fraud Division at (02) 8525-4093 or e-mail at afad@nbi.gov.ph.
