One Dream president no show at DOJ preliminary probe

MANILA - Arnel Gacer, president of controversial firm One Dream Global Marketing, still did not appear before the Department of Justice's (DOJ) preliminary investigation into syndicated estafa charges filed by 18 complainants from Batangas.

Only Gacer's mother-in-law and co-respondent Belinda de Guzman, assisted by counsel Eric Tresti, appeared among the respondents.

De Guzman asked for more time to submit her counter-affidavit after complainants filed a supplemental affidavit to prove that Belinda de Guzman is the same "Linda de Guzman" named in the complaint.

De Guzman was given up to September 7 to submit her counter-affidavit.

The respondents in the case are Arnel Gacer, Jobelle de Guzman, Ariel Gacer, Richard Ramos, Jay-Ar de Guzman, Marlon de Guzmna, Judith Itoh, Jun de Guzman, Lui de Guzman, Linda de Guzman, and Joel de Guzman.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Scam victims' urged to turn whistleblowers vs One Dream

MANILA - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is coordinating with the Lipa City government in a bid to get investors to file complaints against officials of One Dream, a company allegedly involved in a P3 billion investment scam.

The SEC needs at least 19 complainants in order to file a separate case against One Dream officials.

"We still have to convince the investors to come out with the necessary affidavits because we need this for the filing of the case," said Jose Aquino, director of the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department at SEC.

City officials admit it is not easy for them to convince investors to turn whistleblowers against those behind One Dream.

"[Iniisip nila] makukuha nila 'yung kanilang investment, kumbaga ayaw nilang kalabanin 'yung mga Dacer or One Dream para mabawi pa rin nila 'yung kanilang investment," said Lipa City administrator Atty. Leo Latido.

Latido added that some investors refused to cooperate because they're still hoping to get their money back.

Several investors have filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a syndicated estafa case against One Dream owner Arnel Gacer, One Dream vice president Jobelle de Guzman, and other officers identified as Ariel Gacer, Richard Ramos, Jay-Ar de Guzman, Marlon de Guzman, Judith Itoh, Jun de Guzman, Lui de Guzman, Linda de Guzman, and Joel de Guzman.

The complainants said the company used a system profit scheme in recruiting investors.

Under the scheme, investors were required to put in P888 with the promise of a "pay-out" of P1,300 after four days.

However, the complainants said One Dream suddenly stopped its operations on July 11 after getting complaints that it failed to pay back its investors.

The DOJ has subpoenaed One Dream officials to appear in the first preliminary investigation hearing of the case on August 13 and the next hearing scheduled on September 1. -- Report from Val Balita, ABS-CBN News Southern Tagalog

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

One Dream officials sued over P3-B scam

MANILA – A syndicated estafa complaint has been filed against executives of One Dream Global Marketing Inc. over the alleged P3-billion investment scam involving the company.

The complaints were filed by 18 investors before the Department of Justice against company owner Arnel Gacer, vice president Jobelle de Guzman, and other officers identified as Ariel Gacer, Richard Ramos, Jay-Ar de Guzman, Marlon de Guzman, Judith Itoh, Jun de Guzman, Lui de Guzman, Linda de Guzman, and Joel de Guzman.

The complainants said the company used a system profit scheme in recruiting investors.

Under the scheme, investors were required to put in P888 with the promise of a "pay-out" of P1,300 after four days.

However, the complainants said One Dream suddenly stopped its operations on July 11 after getting complaints that it failed to pay back its investors.

The complainants said they filed the syndicated estafa case after the company refused to return their money despite repeated demands.

"The acts of Gacer and the other respondents -- the distribution of flyers, the spread of several hard copies of the profit making scheme, the act of telling 'rags to riches' stories, the absolute guarantee that it will only take four days to profit, the continuous assurance that our hard-earned money will undoubtedly earn profits -- are clear indications of deceit and false pretenses and fraudulent acts executed prior to and simultaneous with the commission of frauds," the complaint said.

It added that One Dream, which started operations in May this year, has no permit to engage in selling and marketing investment products.

Based on its Articles of Incorporation, the company's primary purpose is the trading, buying and selling of various goods.

Authorities are now determining the whereabouts of the respondents. -- With a report from Ernie Manio, ABS-CBN News Southern Luzon

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com