Aman Futures pyramid scam case

Aman Futures was reported as a pyramid scheme in 2012 by the National Bureau of Investigation of the Philippines that duped some 15,000 people in Mindanao and the Visayas of P12 billion (US$295,000,000 est.).{{cite web|last=Gagalac|first=Ron|title='Aman Futures cashed out in Malaysia'|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/20/12/aman-futures-cashed-out-malaysia|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=22 November 2012}} Authorities from the Philippines have set a manhunt for Manuel K. Amalilio, the founder of the company who left the Philippines for Sabah, Malaysia. The "double-your-money" was a phrase being pitched to join the network. NBI has said that there is about 8,000 complaints filed against the company and over 100,000 Filipino families were victimized.{{cite web|title=NBI: Over 8,000 complaints filed vs. Aman Futures|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/11/16/12/nbi-over-8000-complaints-filed-vs-aman-futures|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=22 November 2012}}{{cite web|title=100,000 families, victimized by Aman Futures|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/11/20/12/100000-families-duped-aman-futures|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=22 November 2012}} Irate victims of Aman Futures have ransacked an office rented by the company in Pagadian City.{{cite web|last=Gagalac|first=Ron|title=Irate investors ransack Aman Futures office|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/16/12/irate-investors-ransack-aman-futures-office|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=22 November 2012}}

After the manhunt for the brain behind the scam was launched, two of the company's employees surrendered. Maria Donna Coyme, who is reportedly the chief finance officer of Aman Futures; and Jacob Razuman, one of the firm's top brokers, are currently being investigated for their role in the scam said the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police.{{cite web|last=Jacinto|first=Al|title=2 Aman Futures employees surrender|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/35513-2-aman-futures-employees-surrender|publisher=The Manila Times|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128092719/http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/35513-2-aman-futures-employees-surrender|archive-date=2012-11-28|url-status=dead}}

Twenty one Filipino police officers and two fire officers filed syndicated estafa complaint against the company. They said they were promised a return of their investment within eight days and a 50-80% profit for 17 to 20 days.{{cite web|last=Torres|first=Tetch|title=21 cops, 2 fire officers file estafa raps vs Aman Futures|date=21 November 2012 |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/310723/21-cops-2-fire-officers-file-estafa-raps-vs-aman-futures|publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=22 November 2012}}

The Malacañang Palace has assured that the victims of Aman Futures should not take matters of their own, as authorities are doing their work to put to jail those responsible for the pyramid scam that duped thousands in the Visayas and Mindanao area.

Gunmen related to the 14 December 2012 gunshot in Zamboanga City were possible employees from Aman Futures. Investigators said it was possible that the attack may be linked to the Aman Futures that is known to have victimized thousands, including many policemen.{{cite web|last=Cabato|first=Jung-Jung|title=Gunmen kill policeman in Zambo City; probers considering Aman Futures link|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50494/gunmen-kill-policeman-in-zambo-city-probers-considering-aman-futures-link|publisher=News5|access-date=15 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014315/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50494/gunmen-kill-policeman-in-zambo-city-probers-considering-aman-futures-link|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

In 2013, the founder of Aman Futures, Manuel K. Amalilio, was caught in Malaysia after pleading guilty to charges of holding false travel documents.{{cite web|last=Prostado|first=Leonard D.|title=Amalilio Meted Jail Term In Malaysia On Fraud Charges|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/392695/amalilio-meted-jail-term-in-malaysia-on-fraud-charges|work=The Manila Bulletin|access-date=10 February 2013}} He was then supposed to be deported to Manila on Friday, 25 January at estimated time of 19:45 PST to be jailed the NBI said.{{cite web|last=Cancel|first=Fatima Cielo, Jacinto, Al|title=Amalilio arrives in Manila today|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/40138-amalilio-arrives-in-manila-today|work=The Manila Times|access-date=10 February 2013|date=25 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201023317/http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/40138-amalilio-arrives-in-manila-today|archive-date=2013-02-01|url-status=dead}} However, the Malaysian authorities stopped Amalilio's deportation and he was sentenced a two-year imprisonment in Malaysia.{{cite web|last=Torres|first=Tetch|title=Amalilio to arrive in Manila Friday night –NBI|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/346351/amalilio-to-arrive-in-manila-friday-night-nbi|work=The Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=10 February 2013|date=24 January 2013}}{{cite web|title=DoJ: Deportation delay due to Malaysian complaints|url=http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=DoJ:-Deportation-delay-due-to-Malaysian-complaints&id=64941|work=BusinessWorld|access-date=10 February 2013|date=27 January 2013}}{{cite web|last=Barretto|first=Nate C.|title=Amalilio Sentenced to 2 Years in Malaysian Jail|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/392681/amalilio-sentenced-2-years-malaysian-jail|work=The Manila Bulletin|access-date=10 February 2013|date=5 February 2013}}{{cite web|title=Amalilio gets 2 years in Malaysian prison|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/05/13/amalilio-gets-2-years-malaysian-prison|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=10 February 2013|date=5 February 2013}} Some of the members of the Malaysian opposition in the Philippines disagreed in the Malaysian authorities' stopping of Amalilio's deportation during an interview at ANC. They also have questioned the jail sentence handed down to him in Malaysia.{{cite web|title=Amalilio should be deported, Malaysian lawmakers say|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/anc/02/08/13/amalilio-should-be-deported-malaysian-lawmakers-say|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=10 February 2013|date=8 February 2013}} In 2014, Manuel was freed from Malaysian prison following a representation to the court by his family. The Malaysian Department of Foreign Affairs then declined the Philippines' request for extradition.{{Cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/10/21/14/court-frees-amalilio-rejects-extradition-ph-report|title=Court frees Amalilio, rejects extradition to PH: report|work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=2018-08-14|language=en-US}}

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Category:Defunct multi-level marketing companies

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