The multi-billion peso syndicated estafa and fraud case surrounding social media influencer couple Yexel Sebastian and Mikee Augustin continues to unravel, now implicating additional individuals with a history of alleged fraudulent activities, including the victimization of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

The case, which initially seemed to revolve around Sebastian and Augustin, has taken a more intricate turn, exposing what is believed to be a multi-billion peso scam, potentially exceeding P17 billion.

Hector Aldwin Liao Pantollana, the figure frequently mentioned by scam victims and even acknowledged by Sebastian during his appearance on the prominent “Tulfo In Action” program, is purportedly the mastermind behind a complex network of casino junket operations.

These operations, which promised a 5% return on investment, have left at least 10,000 individuals in Baguio alone in financial turmoil.

A multitude of individuals, asserting that they are victims of Pantollana and his casino junket group, identified as “Team Z,” have taken their grievances to the “Tulfo In Action” program.

Their objectives are clear: they demand the apprehension of the alleged scammers and offer support to a community that numbers well over 10,000, as attested by Engr. Nicole Benbinen, one of the victims.

Notably, the contractual agreements they received were not standard investment contracts but resembled loan agreements.

Benbinen disclosed that she and her husband were lured into investing approximately P4 million by Team Z’s promise of a 5% monthly return on their investments.

Team Z, according to Benbinen, initiated its operations in Baguio during the pandemic. Investors were tantalized with an additional 2% return if they successfully convinced others to invest, purportedly to fund casino junket operations in Metro Manila.

Team Z is led by Pantollana, his brother Hubert Amiel, and brothers Hazen and Hein Carreon Humilde, along with Mikaela Damasco Ty-Choi and Virginio Casupanan.

Benbinen revealed that the core business of Team Z and Pantollana revolves around casino junket operations, extending their reach to Manila and Pampanga.

Benbinen explained, “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.”

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

The invested funds, varying from 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.

Furthermore, Benbinen 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.

It can be recalled that in March 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a cease-and-desist order against HPC, Team Z, and the Philippine National Esports League.

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 provided a detailed account of how Team Z enticed people to invest their money, employing tactics that 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, and they actively enticed their family members and relatives to invest, believing they were merely extending a helping hand for an additional source of income.

As time passed, many “investors” realized that the entire investment scheme bore the characteristics of a Ponzi scheme.

Shockingly, it was revealed that in Baguio alone, over 10,000 individuals found themselves ensnared by Team Z, collectively investing over P4.5 billion, with many latecomers left with little or nothing to show for their involvement.

Benbinen reflected, “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,” underscoring the profound impact the fraudulent scheme had on her family and relatives.

The legal proceedings against Pantallona and his associates remain ongoing.

However, according to Benbinen, Pantallona has managed to evade authorities and is currently in Singapore after fleeing in September.

Sebastian and Augustin have also recently absconded to Japan following Sebastian’s appearance on “Tulfo In Action.”

Benbinen clarified that the couple, who are part of Team Manila, played the role of agents within the larger network.

Atty. Daniel Daganzo, Assistant Regional Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Cordillera Administrative Region, disclosed that a class-action suit initiated by 140 complainants has been filed against Pantollana and his cohorts, charging them with syndicated estafa and fraud.

Speculation surrounds the staggering sum amassed by Pantollana and his associates nationwide, with estimates suggesting it could reach over P17 billion.

Alarmed by these revelations, Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for a comprehensive investigation, suspecting that these junket operations may have been exploited as a front for money laundering.

A proposal is also in place to issue a preliminary hold departure order against those embroiled in this far-reaching scandal.