A US federal judge yesterday ordered that a Guyanese woman remain in federal custody in the US state of Connecticut until her next court appearance on mail fraud and conspiracy charges.
NBC Connecticut reported yesterday that prosecutors argued that Sunita Buddhu, 42, posed a flight risk and a continuing economic danger to her community if released.
The NBC Connecticut first reported on complaints filed in civil court against Buddhu’s father, Deowraj, in May.
Deowraj Buddhu, 69, and Sunita Buddhu were arrested by federal agents last week.
According to the report, the federal complaint accuses the duo of running a debt elimination scheme that targeted mostly non-English speaking customers by promising them access to supposed federal money. The report said that some customers ended up in foreclosure as a result and papers filed in civil court show that there could be as many as 200 alleged victims.
The report said that Buddhu was scheduled to board a plane to Guyana hours after her father’s arrest last week. She later turned herself into federal agents.
Buddhu faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a US$1 million fine, if convicted, the report said.
Deowraj Buddhu has also been ordered detained until his next court appearance.