MANILA, Philippines — A foreign businessman accused of orchestrating a P16 million scam involving a fake product from a US-based technology company is now the subject of two separate arrest warrants after being indicted in another estafa case filed by a Filipino entrepreneur.
Lavish Mohan Paryani, identified as a British citizen, along with his alleged accomplice Reigna Reyes, was ordered arrested by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Marikina City in connection with a P16 million estafa complaint filed by businessman Mark Joseph de Guia. The case stemmed from what authorities described as a fraudulent scheme involving a bogus purchase order supposedly from Solaire North.
Presiding Judge Rey Penacerrada Inciong of RTC Branch 263 issued the arrest warrant on Feb. 21, 2025. In a strongly worded order, the judge declared the offense “non-bailable,” citing compelling evidence against the accused.
According to court records, Paryani and Reyes convinced De Guia to invest P10 million in a deal they claimed involved a bulk order of 100 Apple Vision Pro units supposedly worth P20 million from Solaire North. Reyes allegedly identified herself as a senior buyer in the luxury casino’s procurement department—an assertion now under scrutiny.
To secure the trust of their would-be investor, Paryani issued a post-dated check for P16 million—an amount meant to cover both the capital and an interest of P2 million. But when De Guia attempted to encash the check on Nov. 25, 2024, it bounced. The bank cited a closed account.
Subsequent efforts to demand payment were ignored, prompting De Guia to seek legal recourse. The Department of Justice (DOJ), after a review of the evidence, filed charges under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 10951.
“De Guia would not have given his P10 million cash to respondents had it not been for the issuance of the subject check,” the DOJ stated. “Verily, prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction exists to support the indictment of respondents Lavish Mohan Paryani and Reigna Reyes.”
In building its case, the DOJ referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in Juaquico v. People, which emphasized that both deceit and damage must be established in estafa cases involving worthless checks. The false pretenses—such as the alleged fake affiliation with Solaire North—must occur prior to or alongside the issuance of the check to meet the threshold for criminal fraud.
This isn’t the first brush with the law for Paryani and Reyes. Court documents show that in October 2024, the RTC in Pasay City also issued a warrant of arrest in connection with a separate P12 million estafa complaint. That case also involved a businessman who claimed to have been duped by the duo under similar circumstances.
Reyes was arrested following the Pasay court’s order. Paryani, however, managed to evade authorities and remains at large. Police say he is now the subject of an active manhunt.
Authorities are also reportedly coordinating with immigration officials to determine whether Paryani, a British, may have already fled the country.
As of posting time, neither Paryani nor Reyes has issued a public statement. Solaire North has also not responded to inquiries regarding Reyes’ alleged employment.
The Marikina RTC has set no bail for the accused, citing the severity and repeat nature of the alleged offense.