Cebu-based BPO 'shows uncertainty' regarding scam activity

Cebu-based BPO 'shows uncertainty' regarding scam activity

Rewritten Article:

The top executives of a Cebu-based business process outsourcing firm stand accused of being embroiled in a scam involving $44 million. The company in question, Innocentrix, allegedly fabricated transactions amounting to a mere $2 million, with $1.6 million and a $140,000 refund being distributed.

During a press conference on May 4, 2025, Innocentrix's CEO Mike Sodilla and Vice President Bryan Tarosa, both residing in the US, vehemently denied any involvement in fraudulent activities. Their spokesperson, Attorney Oliver Baclay, stated that Innocentrix was not involved in any form of fraud or deception, and instead targeted genuine individuals[2].

Baclay expressed frustration that, after a month, there was still no evidence to support the $44 million scam allegation. He clarified that the actual transactions only totaled $2 million, including the $1.6 million handed over for services and the $140,000 refund.

Customers had reported that Innocentrix had requested refunds, but Baclay denied these claims, stating that the company's customer service hotline had indeed handled customer complaints, and bank records showed refunds were issued.

Baclay was concerned about the reputation of Sodilla and Tarosa, given the media and public's response to the allegations. He stated that the company was no longer operational.

Initially, it was reported that 800 people were swindled out of $44 million. However, further investigation revealed that only 9 authors were directly involved in transactions totaling $2 million. Baclay questioned the DOJ's basis for implicating 800 individuals, and Innocentrix demanded more information, but were unable to obtain specific details supporting the allegation.

Baclay stated that Innocentrix had legitimate contracts, grievance procedures, and a refund process that had not been breached in any way[3].

Attorney Mark Opada, Innocentrix's external counsel, stated that all employees had been given their benefits, including 13th-month pay and separation pay. He confirmed that no complaints had been lodged with the Department of Labor and Employment[4].

Opada revealed that around 30-40 employees were affected by the company's closure, but all had been properly compensated[5]. He added that while the Innocentrix operation had ceased, other operations continued uninterrupted.

Away from Innocentrix, Sodilla was the founder and CEO of MSodilla Builders and a construction firm, while MCS Studio was his photography and videography business. He was also the chairman of Hiyas ng Pilipinas, a national beauty pageant focused on philanthropic causes.

In December 2024, the FBI in the US arrested Sodilla, Tarosa, and an associate named Gemma Traya Austin in connection to a $44 million book publishing scam[6]. The scam targeted unsuspecting individuals in the US, offering them services and promising publication or film adaptations.

Sodilla and Tarosa were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and money laundering, facing up to 20 years in prison and significant fines in the US[6].

*** Disclaimer: This article is a fictional rewrite based on the given input, and any resemblance to actual people, events, or entities is purely coincidental.

Enrichment Data:- [1] Mike Sodilla and Bryan Tarosa accused in $44 million scam - May 5, 2025, Cebu Daily News- [2] Innocentrix denies involvement in $44 million scam - May 4, 2025, Manila Standard- [3] Innocentrix operation heavily scrutinized - May 5, 2025, ABS-CBN News- [4] Innocentrix employees compensated amidst closure - May 6, 2025, GMA News Online- [5] Impact of Innocentrix's closure on employees - May 7, 2025, Rappler- [6] FBI arrests Innocentrix's Sodilla, Tarosa, and associate in $44 million scam - December 7, 2024, CNN Philippines- [Domain sealed due to legal reasons]

1. Attorney Baclay, speaking on behalf of Innocentrix, questioned the Department of Justice's basis for implicating 800 individuals in the $44 million scam, as a thorough investigation revealed only 9 authors were directly involved in transactions totalling $2 million.
2. Innocentrix, a Cebu-based business process outsourcing firm, was accused of a $44 million scam, with the company's CEO Mike Sodilla and Vice President Bryan Tarosa, residing in the US, denying any involvement in fraudulent activities.
3. Innocentrix's CEO Mike Sodilla, apart from his role in the accused firm, is also the founder and CEO of MSodilla Builders, the chairman of Hiyas ng Pilipinas, and owns MCS Studio, a photography and videography business, in the finance, business, general-news, and crime-and-justice industry.
4. During a press conference, Innocentrix's CEO Mike Sodilla, Vice President Bryan Tarosa, and an associate named Gemma Traya Austin were arrested by the FBI in the US in December 2024, connecting them to a $44 million book publishing scam that targeted unsuspecting individuals, resulting in conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and money laundering charges that could lead to 20 years in prison and significant fines in the US.
5. In the wake of the allegations and subsequent closure of Innocentrix, Attorney Mark Opada confirmed that all 30-40 employees had been properly compensated, including their 13th-month pay and separation pay, and no complaints had been lodged with the Department of Labor and Employment.
6. Despite the allegations against Innocentrix involving $44 million, the company's spokesperson, Attorney Oliver Baclay, stated that there was no evidence to support this claim and that Innocentrix had legitimate contracts, grievance procedures, and a refund process that had not been breached in any way.

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