The Philippine SEC has issued a securities fraud warning against Crowd1.
As per an investigation into Crowd1 by the SEC, the regulator found
it is apparent that the business of CROWD1, while undoubtedly a pyramiding scheme, is a securities offering through an investment contract.
Furthermore, the use of the product or the online gaming is a front to entice the public to invest and to hide the recruitment aspect of the modus operandi of the company.
This is in line with BehindMLM’s Crowd1 review, published last August.
The SEC notes the registering of a shell entity known as Crowd1 Asia Pacific Inc last October.
Since registering however, Crowd1 Asia Pacific has not registered a securities offering with the SEC.
Registration grants juridical personality to the corporation but does not authorize it to issue, sell or offer for sale securities to the public nor to undertake business activities requiring a secondary license from the Commission.
In light of Crowd1 operating illegally in the Philippines, the SEC warns
CROWD1 ASIA PACIFIC INC. is not authorized to solicit investments from the public, not having secured prior registration and/or license to sell securities or solicit investments.
Crowd1 has no corporate operations in the Philippines. Local promoters of the scheme however face fines of 5 million PHP (~$415,000 USD), or a twenty-one year prison sentence.
In view thereof, the public is hereby advised to exercise caution in dealing with any individual or group of persons soliciting investments for and on behalf of CROWD1 ASIA PACIFIC INC.
The public is further advised NOT TO INVEST or to STOP INVESTING in the investment scheme being offered by the subject entity or its representatives.
Crowd1 is not registered to offer securities in any jurisdiction. The company operates illegally the world over.
The Philippines fraud warning follows a similar warning issued by Paraguay last month. Namibia also banned Crowd1 back in February.
Norway reported they are investigating Crowd1 last November. Since then however there have been no further developments.
Crowd1 is owned by Jonas Erik Wener. The company is operated by CEO Johan Stael Von Holstein from Sweden.
To date Swedish authorities have taken no action against Crowd1.
Update 20th July 2020 – As of July 20th Crowd1 has been permanently banned in the Philippines.