About one week bago nakipagpalitan ng suntok si Pacman kay Marquez may lumabas na balita tungkol sa isang investment scam… na naman! Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang na “knockout” ang lifetime savings o retirement funds. The NBI is currently conducting a manhunt for the Filipino-Chinese president of Royal Five Manchester Trading Corp. (RMF). Reports say about 3,000 people were victimized by the scam.

RMF is engaged in foreign exchange trading and investors in the company were promised 4-5% monthly interest. Early investors were able to get the interest but soon checks started bouncing and finally, nawala na lang na parang bula yung may-ari. Ilan sa mga nabiktima na nawalan ng milyones ay ang mga kilalang PBA players na sina Rafi Reavis (P8.9M), Johnny Abarrientors (P9.4M), Edward Juinio (P7.2M), former coach Eric Altamirano (P1.2M) at si Rustom Padilla. In all, P2.1 billion was allegedly lost to the scam.

Kailan pa ba tayo madadala sa mga ganitong kalokohan?! We should always remember that when something is too good to be true, it’s probably a scam; especially if you are promised very high profits in a short period kahit na wala kang gagawin. A monthly interest of 4%-5% means your money earns 48%-60% in one year. Masyado itong mataas. Although it’s possible for some mutual funds to grow this much in a year, ito ay hindi garantisado; maaring mas mababa dito ang kikitain mo or pwede ka pang matalo.

Kaya kung may investment na nangangako sa yo ng mataas at garantisadong interest, magduda ka na. Wag ka ring masilaw sa post-dated checks na binibigay ng company. Papel lang ito at madaling takbuhan ng taong nag-issue. The biggest “guaranteed” interest na pwedeng ibigay ay yung sa mga “double your money” deposit products ng ilang bangko, which translates to about 15% per year.

Before putting your hard-earned money in an investment make sure you have examined closely the company and the scheme. Wag basta-bastang maniwala sa mga sinasabi ng ibang tao lalo na kung hindi reliable source of information. Wag magtanong sa kaibigan ng kapitbahay ng manicurista ng asawa ng karpintero ng bahay mo; instead ask qualified professionals gaya ng mga registered financial planners.

If you have questions or doubts about an investment, ask us or send us a message through our personal finance website www.pinoysmartsavers.com. The site also provides free guides to help you improve your financial IQ; so the next time an investment opportunity is presented to you, alam mo na kaagad kung ito ay scam o hindi.

Posted: March 24, 2008
Copyright © 2008 www.PinoySmartSavers.com All Rights Reserved