Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Ilocos region on Monday caught a big-time ponzi scheme operator, who had already carted away millions of her victims’ supposed “investments”.

Shynna Mae Lorenzo Vergara, 24, from San Fernando City, La Union was trapped by NBI agents at a popular food chain in Agoo, La Union as she received from her victim her second supposed investment of P5,000 that she promised to earn P9,000 in just a matter of 22 days, NBI-Region 1 regional director, lawyer Hector Eduard Geologo said.

Vergara’s victim— Abby Grace Viduya from Pugo, La Union— in February handed over to Vergara P5,000 after she was convinced online of the former’s “Hataw Loan and Investment” scheme.

But after later discovering that her own sister was victimized by Vergara, Viduya sought the NBI to trap the scammer, added lawyer Geologo of the NBI.

The Bureau verified even to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about the illegal operation of Vergara, added Regional Director Geologo.

Vergara, facing swindling charges before the La Union provincial prosecutor’s office, is considered by authorities as a big-time scammer after she had reportedly victimized numerous “investors” including a victim from Manila where she carted away P25 million in purported investments.

Geologo while urging victims of Vergara elsewhere to head to their office to file charges also sternly warned against scammers and ponzi scheme operators preying on the public to learn their lessons.