The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently issued an advisory (as seen below) on CAPTCHA PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED, warning the public of the individuals and groups involved in such activities. The advisory defines the activities behind the scheme, and advises the public to not to invest or stop investing in any investment scheme offered by the said entity, its representatives or any entities engaged in schemes which promises ridiculous rates of return with little or no risks.
In support of this view, Coins.ph does not endorse or is affiliated in any way with such activities or products. Moreover, we have a zero tolerance policy on fraudulent activities and potentially scamming practices. In a separate article, we have enumerated tips on how you can avoid investment schemes and other online scams. We urge our customers to be extra diligent with their funds and to act within our User Agreement.
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Based on the information gathered by the Commission, a number of individuals or group of persons claiming to represent CAPTCHA PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED, a.k.a. “CAPTCHA PHILIPPINES” are enticing the public to invest their money in said entity.
As posted online, CAPTCHA PHILIPPINES is offering investments to the public by:
- Being a “Captcha Philippine Shareholder” where an investor earns 25% weekly of his investment;
- Captcha Solving where a member is required to purchase an account amounting to Php2,500.00 entitling such member to earn up to Php500.00 daily (20% return daily), or Php15,000.00 monthly (600% return monthly);
- Referral where a member shall earn an unlimited Php125.00 for every recruit.
- In Captcha Solving, Php1.00 shall be earned for every directly-typed correct captcha by the member; and Php1.00 per every correct captcha typed by the members’ recruits up to his/her 3rd level. In each referral per level, maximum of 120 captcha per day shall be paid, but not to exceed Php500.00 per day.
- In Referral, Php125.00 shall be earned UNLIMITED for every recruit up to the third
level. The first level pertains to the direct recruit of the member; the second level pertains
to the recruit of a member’s downline; while the third level pertains to the recruit of the
indirect recruit.
Considering that the aforementioned schemes involve the sale of securities to the public, the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) requires that these securities are duly registered and that the concerned corporation and/or its agents have appropriate registration and/or license to sell such securities to the public pursuant to Sections 8 and 28 of the SRC.
Per records of the Commission, contrary to its representation, CAPTCHA PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED is NOT registered either as a corporation or a partnership. Having no primary registration/corporate franchise, with more reason that it is NOT AUTHORIZED to solicit investments from the public since it has not secured prior registration and/or license from the Commission as prescribed under Sections 8 and 28 of the SRC.
Hence, those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents or claim to act as such for CAPTCHA PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED RP in selling or convincing people to invest in the investment scheme being offered by said entity including solicitations and recruitment through the internet may be prosecuted and held criminally liable under Section 28 of the SRC and penalized with a maximum fine of Five Million pesos (P5,000,000.00) or penalty of Twenty-one (21) years of imprisonment or both pursuant to Section 73 of the SRC.
Also, those who invite or recruit others to join or invest in such venture or offer investment contracts or securities to the public may incur criminally liability, or otherwise be sanctioned or penalized accordingly as held by the Supreme Court in the case of Securities and Exchange Commission vs. Oudine Santos (G.R. No. 195542, 19 March 2014).
Moreover, the Securities and Exchange Commission DOES NOT insure the investments of investors in any corporation.
The public is advised NOT TO INVEST or STOP INVESTING in any investment scheme being offered by any individual or group of persons allegedly for or on behalf of CAPTCHA PHILIPPINES and to exercise caution in dealing with any individuals or group of persons soliciting investments for and on behalf of said entity.
Violators are further warned that aside from the strict penalties imposed by the Commission for violations of the Securities Regulation Code, the Revised Corporation Code, and such other rules and regulation it enforces, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) also punishes those participating in cyber incidents that make use or take advantage of the current crisis situation to prey on the public through scams, phising, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts.
Should you have any information regarding the operation of the subject entity, please call the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department at telephone numbers (02) 8818-6047 or send your report to the EIPD at epd@sec.gov.ph.
For the guidance of the public.
Pasay City, 5 May 2020.
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