The National Bureau of Investigation–Antique District Office (NBI-ANDO) has filed charges against three officers of Growth Synergy Development (GSD) for allegedly running an investment scam that victimized dozens of residents in the province.
Arrested through a warrantless arrest were Jose Romel Claudio Gallano Chavez, Jose Dioric Gerogene Apaitan Chavez, and Annaliza Gorero Agustin Javier, who now face complaints for syndicated estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Presidential Decree 1869, violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175), and the Securities Regulation Code (RA 8799).
According to the NBI, the suspects enticed students and barangay residents to invest money in GSD with promises of high returns in a short period. Investors were told that larger amounts would yield higher profits. GSD also provided an online platform for members to track their accounts and earn money by completing simple tasks.
The scheme offered promotions such as “double-your-money,” commissions, and salaries for every member recruited. To project legitimacy, the company operated from a formal office in San Jose, Antique, where it displayed permits, DTI registration, and BIR documents.
NBI investigators said manager Jose Romel Chavez, a teacher at St. Anthony’s College, allegedly used his position to persuade students to invest. Victims initially received payouts, which encouraged them to invest more, but later discovered they could no longer access their accounts when the operation collapsed.
Authorities also confirmed that GSD had no secondary license from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), making its solicitation of investments illegal.
On August 30, about 50 investors trooped to the NBI-ANDO to file complaints and endorse the suspects for formal charges. As of the latest count, 95 complaints have been recorded and continue to rise.
The three suspects were presented for inquest before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor on September 1 and remain detained at the NBI-ANDO facility in San Jose, Antique.
