THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is calling on individuals who were victimized by Maria Elma Grace Castillo Corona, who was behind the fraud "Double Your Money" scheme, to go to their office and file complaints against her.
Police Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan, DCPO spokesperson, said a large-scale estafa was filed against Corona on Friday, January 19, during an inquest proceeding for violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
"We encourage them para ma-isa na, para makatulog na sila, masulbad na ilang problema, labi na tong dako kaayo ug nakuha, dako ug na invest (so their problems will be solved and they can sleep, especially those who invested a lot)," Gaspan said.
Gaspan said during the inquest, there were only three complainants against the suspect. But she said there were around 58 victims who went to the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) on January 18 to air their complaint, as they were also allegedly duped.
"We are accommodating more that are coming pa through regular filing," she said.
Corona promised those individuals who invested in her lending company for a fast return of their investment.
Gaspan said that perhaps, Corona was paying them back in good but eventually, when it grew bigger, she suddenly disappeared.
Corona is still under the custody of the IDMB.
According to Gaspan, her case is non-bailabale and it will depend on the fiscal how they would appreciate the case.
She said Corona did not deny the accusation and asked the victims to give her a chance, as she would pay them back.
As of now, the police are waiting for the commitment order of the court if she will be transferred to Davao City Jail in Maa, Davao City.
During the entrapment operation conducted by the IDMB operatives on Wednesday evening, January 17, Corona was arrested at the McDonalds fastfood chain located beside Jose Maria College, Buhangin, Davao City, while conducting another transaction. Recovered from her was the entrapment boodle money amounting to P1 million.
Based on the victim's account, allegedly around P200 million to P400 million has been invested in her lending company.