Filipino on Interpol’s wanted list arrested in Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai authorities last month arrested Cerrone Posas and his wife Marve following the revocation of their permission to stay in Thailand and implementation of INTERPOL Red Notice issued by the National Central Bureau (NCB) Manila.
The notice was issued for Cerrone, who has 155 outstanding warrants of arrest in the Philippines for syndicated estafa.
The couple was arrested by the Royal Thai Police at their residence in Phetchaburi.
During the press conference of the Royal Thai Immigration Bureau, the Thai government determined that there were sufficient grounds to revoke the couple’s temporary stay because “they are fugitives and wanted by a foreign government.”
The couple is already placed on the list of prohibited persons.
According to reports, Posas was the President and CEO of Organico Agribusiness Ventures Corporation in the Philippines.
The company has been accused of operating a Ponzi scheme, where investors’ returns are derived from new investors’ funds.
It allegedly promised a “double-your- money” investment, starting with a P3,600 payment for a piglet, which would increase to P7,000 after three months.
The company also utilized crowdfunding to offer shares.
Posas is also reportedly running a business in Thailand as the managing director of ERA Phetchaburi, a commercial real estate firm.
In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission identified the company as Ponzi scheme.
The Department of Justice found probable cause to charge Organico and its officers, including Marve Posas, by including violations of the Securities Regulation Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The DOJ resolution on September 3, 2021 stated that, “(T)he business operations carried out by respondent Organico is in the form of a Ponzi scheme whereby purported returns to existing investors are culled from funds contributed by new investors.”
The Foreign Affairs Division discovered that the Posas couple first entered Thailand as tourists on May 19, 2019.
Since then, they have exited and re-entered the country multiple times to extend or renew their visa, depending on the type of visa granted.
During their stay in Thailand, several OFWs were also lured into the scheme.
However, no formal complaints were filed against them in Thailand.
During questioning, the Posas couple stated that they were executives of an investment company in the Philippines.
They claimed that their business involved raising funds but later encountered severe financial difficulties, leading to significant losses.
After arrest warrants were issued against them, they fled to Thailand.
The Philippine Embassy and the Police Attache Colonel Dominador Matalang expressed their gratitude to the Thai authorities.
“This operation manifests the unwavering commitment of our law enforcement agencies in enduring partnership between the Philippines and Thailand in combatting transnational crimes. We are grateful for the excellent coordination and collaboration between the Royal Thai Police and the Office of the Police Attache under the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines. This joint effort sends a clear message that Thailand is not a “safe haven for criminals” or for those who have violated the law. The police will catch you if you have done something illegal- you can’t escape the long arm of the law,” Matalang said.
The couple is currently detained at the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok while awaiting deportation.
