Francis Leo Marcos—once a viral sensation during the pandemic thanks to his flashy “Mayaman Challenge”—has now come under fire as a calculated con artist. New allegations have emerged painting a troubling picture of a man who cultivated fame and trust while hiding a web of deceit.

A Social Media Star Turned National Figure

Marcos, whose real name is Norman Mangusin, rose to prominence in 2020 by posting videos of himself distributing rice and eyeglasses to disadvantaged Filipinos in posh subdivisions. The campaign quickly gained attention, garnering attention and praise from fans online . His “Mayaman Challenge” urged wealthy individuals to give back during the COVID lockdown—a gimmick that many believed was genuine philanthropy.

Claims of Fake Credentials and False Identity

His image as a generous tycoon began unraveling when reports surfaced about his claimed educational background at MIT and supposed ties to the Marcos political family—both of which were later disproved. Requests to verify his credentials at MIT yielded no record of enrollment, and Imelda Marcos herself publicly distanced the family from him .

NBI Investigation and Arrest

In May 2020, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Marcos for allegedly violating the Optometry Law by distributing eyeglasses without proper sanction. He’s also been slapped with multiple fraud (estafa) complaints across various regions . Philippines-based internet personality Xian Gaza even hinted at Marcos being the face of a larger investment scam syndicate.

“What FLM is doing is different… He capitalized on our weakness to be helpful through charity… only a small portion of the money he got from donors actually goes to free eyeglasses. He squandered the rest on his lavish lifestyle and gambling,” investigator Manuel Mejorada told ABS-CBN.

Online Backlash and Exposé

Forums like Reddit and Facebook exploded with warnings about his deceptive practices. One concerned netizen exposed multiple alias names, phantom properties in Greenmeadows Village, and a Chinese behind-the-scenes businessman he was allegedly fronting for. That community post has been reshared across other platforms to alert potential victims.

What This Means Now

With his rose-tinted online reputation in tatters, Marcos is now facing legal proceedings and growing public backlash. His notoriety offers a broader lesson about digital-era scams—where confidence tricks blend with social media influence to hide corruption behind a guise of charity.

What Comes Next?

Will the NBI press deeper charges? Investigators are already looking into his alleged investment scams and misuse of charity funds.

Could victims come forward? Multiple estafa complaints suggest that others were financially harmed.

Will his online credibility evaporate? With more users labeling him “Pambansang Scammer,” that climb to fame may soon crash into collapse.