Filipino Investment Scam Fugitive Deported from Indonesia

Manila — Hector Aldwin Pantollana, a Filipino suspected of perpetrating a massive investment scam, was deported from Indonesia on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Pantollana, who was included in an Interpol warning, has been accused of scamming various people, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), of hundreds of millions of pesos.

Pantollana was apprehended in Indonesia with the help of local authorities, according to the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). During a news briefing, CIDG Acting Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed the arrest of the fugitive.

“The warrants for Pantollana's arrest have been in place since last year,” says Torre. We were able to trace down and apprehend him thanks to Indonesian police. The official transfer occurred at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport when he was turned up to CIDG personnel.

Pantollana arrived in the Philippines at 5:40 a.m., under tight security, and was promptly detained at the Anti-Organized Crime Unit at Camp Crame in Quezon City. He faces numerous charges, including 15 arrest warrants for estafa (fraud) and syndicated estafa.

A Nationwide Scam

Pantollana and his associates perpetrated a nationwide scam, luring people from all over the Philippines and beyond to invest in false high-yield businesses. According to CIDG officials, the scammers used a variety of guises, including networking and junket operations, to persuade victims to part with significant quantities of money under false promises of high profits.

“Their operations included casino junkets. They persuaded others to invest in enterprises they said were booming, only to discover later that the junket houses and activities did not really exist,” Torre stated.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had already charged Pantollana and 27 other people involved in the scheme. These people allegedly violated the Securities Regulation Code and the Anti-Money Laundering Act by soliciting monies from the public to fund their criminal activities.

The Allure of 'Star Power'

One victim, who preferred to remain nameless, said she was initially enticed into the plan by the promise of huge profits and the presence of well-known figures. According to the victim, Pantollana and his crew utilized the names of well-known people to make their investment offers appear authentic.

“They brought celebrities to their junket events, and we said, 'If they trust these individuals, it must be a secure investment.' However, the junket house was shut down, and we knew we had been deceived,” the victim explained.

No Formal Agreement for Extradition

While Pantollana was deported successfully, the Philippines and Indonesia do not have any formal extradition agreements. CIDG authorities underlined that the operation was purely based on the two countries' cooperation in apprehending fugitives.

Interestingly, the Philippines and Indonesia are not in formal talks about exchanging Pantollana for Handoyo Salman, an Indonesian native wanted in his home country for money laundering and illicit gambling. Salman was one of 42 foreign nationals detained in a POGO raid in Bataan earlier this year.

As authorities continue to investigate Pantollana's actions, the case serves as a sharp warning of the risks associated with fraudulent investment schemes. The CIDG advises the public to be careful and avoid falling victim to such schemes.

Awareness

Before investing in any financial opportunity, always do your research thoroughly. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, particularly those involving celebrities or big rewards with minimal risk. If you suspect fraud, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately.