The ever-expanding narrative of the multi-billion peso syndicated estafa and fraud case surrounding social media influencers Yexel Sebastian and Mikee Augustin takes a compelling twist.

This complex web of deceit now reveals an even more profound tale of how personal avarice can draw unsuspecting loved ones into the clutches of an intricate scam.

The pivotal role of greed is best exemplified in the account of Engr. Nicole Benbinen, one of the supposedly well-educated victims ensnared by the scam.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that Sebastian and Augustin could just be minor players in a much larger scheme orchestrated by a cunning mastermind, possibly orchestrating a multi-billion peso scam of monumental proportions, stretching to a staggering P17 billion.

Nevertheless, the level of the couple’s involvement warrants further examination.

To make matters even more convoluted, this elusive orchestrator managed to flee the country in September, leaving behind a trail of devastation.

The alleged puppeteer at the heart of this intricate web, Hector Aldwin Liao Pantollana, stands accused of being the ringleader behind a vast network of casino junket operations.

These operations promised gullible victims an alluring 5% return on their investments, entrapping a minimum of 10,000 individuals in Baguio alone.

Numerous individuals who claim to be victims of Pantollana and his casino junket group, known as “Team Z,” banded together on the “Tulfo In Action” program.

Their shared objective was two-fold: to demand justice and the apprehension of the alleged scammers, and to provide support to their fellow victims, who numbered over 10,000.

Nicole Benbinen, one of these victims, shed light on the nature of the contractual agreements provided to victims.

She revealed that the contracts resembled loan agreements rather than the conventional investment agreements one might expect.

The heart-wrenching aspect of this tale is how greed played a decisive role in tempting innocent loved ones to enter this labyrinth of deception.

Benbinen and her family, seduced by the allure of Team Z’s promise of a 5% monthly return on their investments, found themselves ensnared.

Team Z purportedly initiated its operations in Baguio in 2021, and investors were tantalized with an extra 2% return if they successfully recruited others to invest, ostensibly to finance casino junket operations in Metro Manila.

Benbinen recounted that she and other “investors” were fully aware that Pantollana and Team Z’s primary business focused on casino junket operations, expanding their operations into Manila and Pampanga.

“Ang sabi po nila sa amin, since pandemic that time na nabo-boom sila, maganda daw po na Mayron kaming passive income. So eto naman po ay very legit, eh ano naman po siya, passive. So in-offer po sa amin yong passive in return, may 5% kami monthly,” Benbinen said.

She emphasized that the minimum investment was set at P100,000.

Invested funds, ranging from as little as P100,000 to millions, were funneled into the junket operations in Manila and Pampanga, eventually ending up in a secure “cage” within the casino’s junket rooms.

Shockingly, it was revealed that the group financed casino operations at Okada Manila and established another entity, the “Horizon Players Club” (HPC), which operated in Solaire, City of Dreams, and Hann Casino Resort in Pampanga.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a cease-and-desist order against HPC, Team Z, and the Philippine National Esports League in March 2023, exposing the sinister nature of the operations.

This order also implicated Hector Pantollana, Zeus Liao Pantollana, and numerous others who played a role in collecting “investments” from unsuspecting individuals for the casino junket operations.

Benbinen went on to provide a detailed account of how Team Z enticed people to invest their money.

The tactics included showcasing the scope of their operations, promising substantial returns on investment, highlighting their influential networks, and offering enticing perks.

Additionally, investors were encouraged to participate in casino games to better understand the business, which purportedly yielded two income-earning facets: the marketing side and the passive income side.

In total, Benbinen estimated their investments at approximately P4 million.

Over time, they were encouraged to draw in their family members and relatives, believing they were merely extending a helping hand and providing an additional source of income.

Benbinen’s own role in enticing others, especially her relatives, as she received commissions and returns on investment for at least a year, ultimately exposed the sinister nature of the scheme, resembling a Ponzi scheme.

Even more heartbreaking is the revelation that in Baguio alone, over 10,000 individuals were ensnared by Team Z, collectively investing over P4.5 billion, with many latecomers left with little or nothing to show for their involvement.

Benbinen’s voice trembled as she confessed, “To be honest, since may nakita kami, ang sinasabi nila sa amin, para makatulong, para makatulong, which is kami, yong mga in-invite po namin, yong 53 million po na ‘yon, is kaman-anak po, relatives ko, yong mga close po talaga sa amin. Kasi yon naman po talaga ang gusto po naming tulungan. So ngayon na nangyari to, kami kami pong magpapamilya ang nahihirapan.”

The case against Pantallona and his cohorts remains ongoing.

However, according to Benbinen, Pantallona is currently believed to be in Singapore after managing to flee the country in September.

Meanwhile, Sebastian and Augustin recently absconded to Japan following Sebastian’s appearance on the “Tulfo In Action” program, leaving more questions than answers in their wake.

Atty. Daniel Daganzo, the assistant regional director of the NBI in the Cordillera Administrative Region, revealed that a class-action suit has been filed against Pantallona and his cohorts, accusing them of syndicated estate charges.

Speculation abounds regarding the colossal sum of money amassed by Pantallona and his network nationwide, with estimates surpassing the P17 billion mark.

The magnitude of these revelations has alarmed Senator Raffy Tulfo, prompting him to call for a comprehensive investigation.

He expressed concerns that the casino junket operations might have evolved into a money laundering tool.

Another plan on the horizon is the issuance of a preliminary hold departure order to prevent those involved in the scam from leaving the country during the investigation.