Mekus Mekus Vlogger: “Ako benta siomai, ako bilyonaryo na!”
Indian vlogger Navjot Singh, also known online as Mr. Nobodydudy or “mekus mekus,” recently joked on social media about becoming a billionaire by selling siomai.
He humorously compared it to selling banigs, saying that just selling small items alone wouldn’t make someone rich. “Ako benta siomai, ako bilyonaryo na! Pero ako benta banig, ako wala pa million. Ano na ‘yan heh,” he noted. His post received many laughs and playful reactions from netizens, showing how online jokes can be very different from real-life business matters.
The joke stands out even more when compared to the story of Filipino entrepreneurs Jonathan So and Carlito Macadangdang. These childhood friends went from running small businesses, like siomai franchises and health products, to becoming very wealthy contractors. They often showcased their success on social media with luxury cars, events, and flashy updates about their lifestyle.
However, a detailed investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) suggests that their wealth might not have come solely from regular business activities. Reports indicate that they allegedly moved into government contracting through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), focusing on flood-control projects in Bulacan. Billions of pesos reportedly went through several companies they controlled, including JC Premiere, House of Franchise, Black Hardhat, and One Frame.
Some projects were flagged as “ghost” projects, where money meant for public infrastructure allegedly ended up in private accounts. The transactions involved many transfers between accounts, large deposits, and even money sent to family members. So’s elderly mother, who has no clear source of income, reportedly received millions through joint accounts. AMLC investigators also found patterns of facilitation fees and possible collusion between the entrepreneurs, government officials, and politicians, suggesting that public funds were being diverted for private gain.