Fake SEC Certificates of Incorporation: How Businesses Can Verify Philippine Company Records
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published an advisory on 22 September 2026 concerning the circulation of a fake Certificate of Incorporation using the name “Grand Horizon Travel Ang Tours.” The incident is a practical warning that a document carrying an SEC-style seal, registration number, or official-looking format should not be accepted without independent verification.
A Certificate of Incorporation confirms that a corporation was registered, but due diligence should extend beyond a copy supplied by the company or its representative. Counterparties should verify the registered corporate name and SEC number through official SEC channels and examine whether the company remains in good standing. The General Information Sheet, articles, amendments, authority of the signatory, and applicable secondary licences may also matter depending on the transaction.
Businesses should watch for inconsistent spellings, altered dates, irregular fonts or seals, unverifiable QR codes, mismatched registration numbers, and corporate details that conflict with contracts or invoices. Payment instructions using unrelated personal accounts, pressure to proceed without verification, and refusal to provide current corporate records are additional warning signs.
Corporate registration does not automatically authorize every regulated activity. Travel services, lending, securities solicitation, recruitment, real-estate brokerage, financial products, and other businesses may require permits or licences from agencies beyond the SEC. A valid company registration therefore does not by itself prove that a particular offer, investment, or service is lawful.
The SEC advisory is listed on the Commission’s official advisories page. For properly documented Philippine incorporation and post-registration compliance, see BizzureVisa’s Company Formation and Business Registration service. This article is general information and does not confirm or dispute the status of any entity beyond the SEC’s published advisory.
