Police nab corporate treasurer involved in large-scale investment scam

An officer of a company involved in a large-scale investment scam, preying mostly on policemen, was arrested in Las Piñas on Monday.

Ma. Lysa Soler, treasurer of Wahana Credit and Lending Corp., was nabbed by virtue of a warrant for syndicated estafa issued by Judge Patria Manalatas-De Leon of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206.

Soler was arrested after attending a hearing for another estafa case at the Las Piñas Hall of Justice at 11 a.m.

Salvie Anahaw, another Wahana official charged with syndicated estafa, remains at large. In February, 11 personnel of the lending firm were also arrested.

According to Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario, director of the Southern Police District, Wahana had victimized 105 people and extorted millions from investors, including policemen and teachers.

Wahana, which lends money to casino players, allegedly promised a high return on investment of 12- percent weekly interest (or 48 percent monthly) to investors.

It also allegedly used the names of top generals in the Philippine National Police, including Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Director Oscar Albayalde, as among the company’s investors. The two officials have denied involvement in the company.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released an advisory in March that Wahana is “not authorized to solicit investments from the public as they have no necessary permit.”

It said Wahana Credit and Loan Corp. and Wahana Multipurpose Bank, whose office is located at the RR Gonzales Commercial Building at 467 Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas, is not registered at the SEC and has not been issued certificates of authority to operate as a lending or financing company. – eee