Woman Nabbed for Investment Scam Targeting on Military Pensioners
The authorities arrested a woman for allegedly running a fraudulent investment scheme targeting military pensioners.
On September 30, 2025, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a woman for investment scam preying on military pensioners, including retirees from the Navy, Army, and Air Force.
Investigators said the group behind the scheme enticed people to invest money without securing the proper license from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors were promised large monthly returns, but the reality was far different.
The strategy involved convincing people to finance supposed loans for retired soldiers, collecting processing fees, and then misusing the funds. Only minimal payouts were given, leaving both investors and borrowers at a loss.
For many retirees, the scam was devastating. Retired Commander Bernard Jacob of the Philippine Navy revealed that he lost most of his retirement savings after trusting an agent who convinced him to invest.
Jacob had hoped to use the money to start a business but instead was left with worthless checks and the burden of broken promises.
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Another victim, Retired 2nd Lt. Napoleon Ostil, 75, shared that he borrowed half a million pesos with hopes of receiving a 10 to 15 percent monthly return. At first, the payouts seemed consistent, but by December, the amounts dwindled to just a fraction of what was promised, leaving him empty-handed.
Authorities believe the suspect was able to penetrate the military community because her late husband had also served in uniform, which gave her access to trusted circles. The NBI carried out an entrapment operation after receiving a formal complaint, leading to her arrest.
The woman is now facing charges of estafa and violations of both the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act and the Securities Regulation Code. Officials reminded the public to always check if an investment firm has a proper secondary license from the SEC to avoid falling victim to scams.