SEC warns public against investing in Quantum Trust

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against dealing with Quantum Trust, which has been using a fake endorsement by Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go to encourage the public to make illegal investments.

In an advisory dated December 2, the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) said it has found Quantum Trust to be offering investments to the public without obtaining the necessary secondary license from the Commission, in violation of Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code.

Under its scheme, Quantum Trust entices the public to invest in its supposed “state-funded project,” with a promise of earning passive income of as much as P180,000 weekly for a minimum investment of at least P19,800.

“Similar to previously exposed fraudulent investment scams, Quantum Trust promises unrealistically high returns with little to no risk, and employs aggressive marketing tactics, including claims of ‘limited slots’ or ‘urgent enrollment requirements’ to pressure individuals into investing immediately,” the advisory read.

Furthermore, the Commission said the entity is being advertised through a phishing website, which pretends to be an official webpage of GMA News Online. The website contained a fabricated news article which claimed that its project was endorsed by Secretary Go.

“The Commission also strongly warns the public not to register, log in, or download apps promoted by unknown platforms, as these are often used for phishing or other cyber-enabled scams. Engaging with such websites or applications may not only lead to financial loss but also expose one’s personal data, which may then be exploited for further fraudulent activities,” the advisory read.

The SEC has cautioned the public to remain vigilant amid the rise of entities that fabricate endorsements from celebrities, public figures, high-ranking government officials and reputable institutions, to make it appear that their illegal investment schemes are legitimate.

Other red flags of illegal investment schemes include the promise of unusually high or guaranteed returns; use of a fake or suspicious website imitating new outlets or government agencies; requirement to register through unknown links or applications; and pressure tactics such as limited-slot promotions or urgent calls to invest.
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The Commission urges the public to visit the SEC website or download the SEC Check App to verify the legitimacy of an entity before investing.