Interpol issues red notice against MFT Group chief executive Maria Francesca Tan

MANILA — The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a red notice against MFT Group of Companies Inc. chief executive Maria Francesca Tan following a formal request from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Manila Standard reports that the move is part of the SEC’s intensified efforts to bring Tan before local courts to face serious allegations regarding her involvement in a large-scale investment fraud scheme. An Interpol red notice serves as an official request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and temporarily arrest a wanted individual pending extradition or similar legal proceedings.

The Taguig City Regional Trial Court recently issued a warrant for Tan’s arrest on charges of violating both the Securities Regulation Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. These charges stem from findings that MFT Group, a private equity firm, sold investment products to the public without necessary SEC approval, engaged in fraudulent investment activities, and operated without the required registration as a securities broker or dealer.

In addition to the regulatory violations, Tan faces a separate criminal case for syndicated estafa. A Lipa City, Batangas court previously issued a warrant for her arrest in March 2025 with no bail recommended.

Under the operations of the alleged scheme, MFT Group—which later transitioned into Foundry Ventures I Inc.—promised unwitting investors guaranteed returns ranging from 12 per cent to 18 per cent. The company then allegedly used the pooled public funds to finance the purchase orders and various commercial projects of its own corporate subsidiaries.