SEC cautions public against investing in Unitynet

THE Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC) has advised the public against investing in Unitynet Corp., which has not secured the necessary license to solicit any form of investment.

In an advisory posted on its Web site last week, the SEC said it has received reports that Unitynet has been enticing people to invest P2,990 in the company in exchange for access to a system that will guide them on how to conduct business better.

The country’s corporate regulator clarified that Unitynet does not have the authority to engage the public into any form of investment scheme. While Unitynet has a primary registration as a corporation with the SEC, it does not have a secondary license that allows it to offer, solicit, sell, or distribute any investment or securities.

Further, the investment products sold by the company must also be registered with the SEC, as per the Securities Regulation Code.

“In view thereof, the public is hereby advised to exercise caution before investing in these kinds of activities and to take the necessary precaution in dealing with Unitynet Corp. or its representatives,” the SEC said.

Unitynet allegedly gives investors access to the Ascending Profit System ( APS) for an investment of P2,990. Originally priced at P70,000, this system contains items such as the 10 Steps Training Kit and One- on- One Coaching.

Through the APS, Unitynet will train investors on how to recruit or sponsor more downlines into their network marketing business, how to sell products online effectively, and how to promote their traditional businesses.

The SEC said that Unitynet tells prospective investors that they can earn as much as P11,000 for the investment, provided that they join the company immediately as there are limited slots. A member of Unitynet will also earn P1,000 for every person he refers into the system.

The methods of recruitment are primarily done online through a member’s social media account or Web site, where members are told to upload videos with catchy titles such as “Gusto mo bang kumita ng extrang P10,000?”

The SEC warned those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers, or agents of Unitynet may be held criminally liable as per Section 28 of the SRC, in addition to a fine of up to P5 million or a penalty of 21 years in prison.

The commission may also sanction those who simply invite or recruit people into Unitynet.

The SEC added that any information relating to Unitynet should be immediately reported to its Enforcement and Investor Protection Department. —