Interpol issues red notice vs MFT Group founder
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a red notice against MFT Group founder and CEO Maria Francesca Tan following the Securities and Exchange Commissoion’s (SEC) request over her alleged role in a large-scale investment scam.
In a statement on Thursday, the SEC said the red notice, published on May 25, serves as a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted individual pending extradition or similar legal action.
READ: CA orders Mica Tan accounts frozen
Tan is facing charges for alleged violations of the Securities Regulation Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The Taguig City Regional Trial Court earlier issued an arrest warrant against Tan, while a Lipa City court issued another warrant in March 2025 for syndicated estafa, with no bail recommended.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the SEC in April 2024 against MFT Group and Foundry Ventures I Inc. over alleged illegal investment-taking activities. Prosecutors later indicted Tan and other company officers in May 2025.
READ: SEC orders Mica Tan’s MFT Group to stop illegal sale of investments
According to the SEC, MFT Group, later renamed Foundry Ventures, allegedly promised investors returns of 12% to 18% and said the funds would finance purchase orders for its subsidiaries’ projects.
Prosecutors said the scheme operated like a Ponzi scam, using funds from new investors to pay returns to existing ones. /pai INQ
