Two women and a boy who allegedly forged three United States of America visas were each granted $95,000 bail when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Gomattie Kissoon, 24, of 188 De Willem Area G, West Coast Demerara, Kalawattie Devi Dusramas, 37, of Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice and their 16-year-old relative pleaded not guilty to separate charges of conspiracy to commit a felony.
It is alleged that between September 11 and 24 the 16-year-old with intent to defraud conspired with a person or persons unknown to forge one US Visa #20082188230082 in a Republic of Guyana Passport #1094566 in favour of himself. Further, it is alleged that between September 12 and 24 Devi Dusramas and Kissoon both with intent to defraud conspired with a person or persons unknown to forge US Visa #20081871920076 in separate Republic of Guyana Passports in favour of themselves.
Attorney-at-law Vic Puran represented the trio. According to him, the three “did not set out to commit an offence but were duped” by a man who took them within the vicinity of the US Embassy and told them that he was going inside to conduct transactions. Puran explained that the man then had the three individually uplift their US visas from him which they thought were authentic.
The attorney asked the court to take note of the high quality of the forged visas. He pointed out to them that the visas got past the airline, immigration officers and other airport officials who were all fooled. It was only when his clients reached Trinidad, Puran said, that it was discovered that the passports held fake US visas.
The prosecution did not object to Puran’s application for bail and his clients were subsequently granted bail in the sum of $95,000 each.
The matter continues on November 10.
