Alleged brains of P600-M ‘investment scam’ falls

By: Jennifer P. Rendon and Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The alleged mastermind of a P600-million foreign exchange (forex) investment scam and her co-conspirator were arrested Thursday in Manila.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents collared Lourdes Baarde on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by Roxas City Regional Trial Court Branch 16 Judge Kristine Vinculado on Aug 28, 2019. No bail was recommended for her temporary liberty.

Baarde’s alleged cohort, Joel Domayan, 28, was collared at his residence in South Triangle, Quezon City on the same day.

Baarde, 42, of Rio Grande subdivision in Brgy. Baybay here is facing estafa charges filed by several individuals who accused her of issuing “bouncing checks.”

Baarde is a former revenue officer at the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Roxas City.

She resigned late last year before the warrant of arrest was issued against her.

Baarde allegedly duped around 800 investors in investing into her company, Forex Investments, for a 25 percent monthly interest.