A man and his pregnant girlfriend were yesterday remanded to prison after being read charges that they defrauded persons of over $5 million.
Accused Rajeshwar Persaud, 57, however, told Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly that he was a police informant and that he and Renika Rajbance, 19, were only being charged because he refused to provide information in another case.
Three charges were first read to Persaud, subsequent to which he pleaded not guilty to each.
It is alleged that the accused on November 1st, 2018, at Charlotte Street, with intent to defraud, induced Rajbance to affix her name to an agreement of sale and purchase for a property, located at Lot 186 Prospect, East Bank Demerara, for the sum of $3 million in favour of Waleima Singh, in order that afterward it may be converted to a valuable security, property of Rajbance.
The second charge stated that Persaud on May 29th, 2018, at Charlotte Street, with intent to defraud, induced Rajbance to enter and agreement of sale and purchase for a property at Lot 186 Prospect, for $1,720,000 in favour of Rodwell and Dorigen Fortune, in order that it may afterward be converted to a valuable security, property of Rajbance.
Finally, it is alleged that on July 31st, 2018 Persaud, with intent to defraud, induced Rajbance to enter and agreement of sale and purchase for a property located at Lot 34 being part of 28 Plantation Friendship, East Bank Demerara, for $1 million in favour of Amanda Sooklall, in order that it may afterward be converted to a valuable security, property of Rajbance.
Police prosecutor Richard Harris told the court that the files relating to the matters are incomplete. He then added that the accused was previously charged for similar offences and has 10 investigations of a similar nature pending.
Additionally, the court heard from Harris that the accused is a witness in the proceedings against Derwin Eastman and Jamenson Williams, who are both charged with the murder of Godfrey Scipio, and he has been avoiding court. Persaud also has to appear before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for fraud related matters.
Persaud later told the court that he works as an informant for the police and that he was only being charged because he failed to provide information relating to another matter.
He was later remanded to prison and is set to make his next court appearance on March 13th.
Two charges were then read to Rajbance, which she also denied.
It is alleged that Rajbance on November 1st, 2018 obtained $3million from Waleima Singh by falsely pretending to her that she was in a position to sell her a property located at 186 Prospect, knowing same to be false.
The second charge stated that on July 21st, 2018, at Eccles EBD, the accused obtained $1 million from Amanda Sooklall by pretending that she was the rightful owner of Lot 34, being part of 28 Plantation Friendship, when she was not in a position to sell same.
Police prosecutor Harris told the court that the defendant has worked alongside Persaud and if granted bail there is a likelihood that she would not return to court. He added that there are also pending matters against the accused.
Magistrate Daly later remanded her to prison and adjourned the matter until February 28th.
