A manager of a mining company in the hinterland was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for obtaining over $3M in cash from several persons by false pretence.
Forty-two-year-old Raymond Harilall of 441 Grove, New Housing Scheme, pleaded guilty to four counts of obtaining money by false pretence when the charges were read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
On August 14, Harilall with intent to defraud, obtained $370,000 from Leroy Davis under the pretext that he was in a position to rent 200 hectares of land in the interior for mining operations.
And on September 1, Harilall with intent to defraud, obtained $250,000 from Curt Marshal, under the pretence that he was in a position to rent to him 150 hectares of land for the purpose of mining.
In addition on September 7, Harilall with intent to defraud, obtained $2.5M from Vijimatie Basdeo under the pretence that he was in a position to purchase a Hilux pick-up truck for Basdeo.
Then on October 16, Harilall with intent to defraud, obtained $440,000 from Marlon Jack under the pretence that he was in a position to purchase a dredge engine for him.
Basdeo who was in court stated she operated a grocery stall and handed over the money to Harilall for the purchase of the truck that would have assisted her to transport her groceries more easily, but she later discovered that he was not in a position to purchase the vehicle. She reported the matter and Harilall was later arrested. “I have no documents to show that I give he (Harilall) de money, he deh tell me that after he got de vehicle, then we would sign some documents,” said Basdeo.
“I admit that I took de money from her (Basdeo) but I was made a fool of your worship cause I give a man that I does do business with de money and he disappeared,” said Harilall.
Meanwhile Davis who was also in court stated that Harilall had told him that he owned a mining area in the interior and he had mining land to rent. Davis stated that he offered to rent from Harilall 250 hectares of land and later handed over the money for the rental. He said that he later discovered that Harilall was not the owner of the land and he made a report to the police station and the accused was arrested.
“De money he give me was for a mining venture and de man dat I give it to get all de money,” said Harilall.
The prosecution stated that as it related to Jack and Marshall, Harilall had told Jack that he could purchase a dredge engine at a cheap price for him while he told Marshall that he had mining land to rent. The two subsequently handed over the money for the engine and land and later discovered that Harilall was not in a position to provide either service. Jack and Marshall later made reports to the police station and Harilall was arrested.
In both cases Harilall stated that he had borrowed the money from them but gave it to a man whom he did business with but that person disappeared two weeks ago.
Harilall also informed the court that he had been imprisoned for a similar case but “de first time I went to prison I didn’t commit de act but this time I did commit de act.”
The magistrate subsequently sentenced Harilall to two years imprisonment on each charge but stated that they would run consecutively, so he would spend eight years in prison. (Ayanna Blair)
