Manila, May 22 -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Negros Oriental is investigating at least 30 alleged investment/financial scams with some complaints already filed in court.

Lawyer Rose Ann Montecalvo, Intelligence Agent III of the local office of the NBI, said Thursday that since she reported here on April 25, she learned that 40 percent of these complaints are estafa cases, "either large-scale or syndicated."

Montecalvo told reporters at a Kapihan sa PIA forum on investment scams and responsible borrowing that in most cases, "the harsh truth is that there is slim to no chance" for the complainants to recover their money because they "voluntarily" gave it to these illicit investment schemes.

The NBI here has an average ...