PNP presents couple behind bitcoin scam

MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) presented on Tuesday, April 10, a couple who is allegedly behind a multi-million-peso bitcoin scam.

Dela Rosa said Arnel and Leonady Ordonio, 27, were arrested by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on April 4 after receiving complaints from over 50 persons.

He said based on the complaints, the couple, the registered owners of the NewG bitcoin Philippines, has lured the victims to invest in their company with a promise of a maximum of 30 percent interest every 16 days.

“Liwanagin natin. Bitcoin is the presentation kasi bitcoin per se is recognized ng mga iba. This is a virtual currency. Ito sa presentation nung suspects hihihingi ng capital sa kanila, may upline, downline tapos may promise of return ng investment,” said CIDG director Roel Obusan.

“In fact 16 days lang. How much in 16 days 30 percent. Kung P1 million in 16 days may P300,000 ka na tubo so napakalaki. Sa una ibibigay n’ya muna, 1st at 2nd after that mawawala na sya. This is a simple case of estafa at pyramiding kasi meron silang upline, may downline,” he added.

Marvin Maglunog, one of the victims of the couple, said he invested P90,000 and received P25,000 interest every 16 days which prompted him to entice his friends into joining the scheme, too.

However, since De-

cember he said they could no longer contact Ordonio.

“’Yung mag-asawa na couple kung titingnan ninyo mag browse kayo sa YouTube meron ‘yung nandun sa Youtube nasa bahay bundle na tig 500 tapos na 2nd floor binabato nya ‘yung tig P500. That's how they present themselves as earning so much by way of Bitcoin pero hindi sya connected sa bitcoin. May prineprsent na company na newG Philippines,” said Obusan adding that some victims who they met through the social media invested millions of peso.

Dela Rosa said the couple amassed over P900 million from the victims.