Dhanraj Raghubir, the computer technician alleged to be behind a massive visa fraud, was yesterday arraigned on 45 more counts of fraudulent conversion.
Raghubir, 27, was read a total of 17 indictable charges by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, based on alleged offence committed between the months of July 2015 and September through December 2015. During this period, Raghubir allegedly took a total of $1,419,160 from persons under the guise of either making payments to the Bank of Baroda for United States visa applications, or for bank draft fees related to United Kingdom and Canadian visa applications.
Attorney Paul Braam made an application for bail on behalf of the accused, arguing that his client should be granted same on the grounds that he was not a flight risk. The prosecution confirmed that Raghubir had made his last court appearance for similar matters pending before Magistrate Judy Latchman in court 3.
However, Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Raghubir had only been taken into custody on Tuesday and that he had been evading the police. Furthermore, he said, investigations into the matter were still ongoing and the accused was involved in a “multimillion-dollar scam.”
Raghubir was remanded to prison until March 4, by the Chief Magistrate, as talks of reimbursing individuals had not been followed through.
He later appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore, where he was arraigned on 28 more charges, to which he was required to plead.
Those charges alleged that between July and December 2015, Raghubir, being entrusted with a total of $912,640 by various persons to be paid to the Bank of Baroda for visa applications, converted the sum of money to his own use. The accused pleaded not guilty to all 28 charges.
Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail, stating that the accused had absented himself from a court hearing. This claim was denied by Braam, who stated that Raghubir had been present at all matters and no arrest warrant had been issued by the court.
Magistrate Moore granted Raghubir bail in the amount of $300,000, but after pleas from his attorney that he could not afford such a steep amount, he was placed on $5,000 bail on each of 20 charges, amounting to $100,000 and released on his own recognizance for the eight remaining charges.
The matter has been adjourned to March 8.
Raghubir was employed by Creative Concepts, a social media marketing company, when he first appeared before the Chief Magistrate on December 31, 2015, and was read a charge which stated that on October 25, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he forged a United States of America embassy appointment letter.
Raghubir denied the allegation.
He was also read an additional charge, which stated that on October 25, at Georgetown, he uttered to Vanessa Gomes, a US embassy appointment letter purported to be issued by the Embassy, knowing same to be false. Raghubir denied that allegation as well and was then placed on $50,000 bail.
Last week, a wanted bulletin was issued for him by the Guyana Police Force after 19 persons turned up to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) claiming he obtained a total of $1 million from them to assist with procuring United States visas.
