A Nigerian national who police say is part of a criminal organisation that has allegedly scammed unsuspecting Guyanese victims out of millions, is facing more fraud charges.
Uche Raymond Okoye, also known as Uche Parker, was yesterday slapped with 11 charges of fraud. He appeared virtually at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan read ten indictable charges to him.
It is alleged that on ten occasions between October 15 and November 16, 2020 Okoye obtained monies from a woman, Surujdai Balkaran, totalling $6,059,900, by falsely claiming that he was in possession of a package intended for her. And on November 16, 2020, he obtained $50,000 from another woman, Ms Monroe, by also falsely claiming that he was in possession of a package intended for her. The women were told that the monies were needed to uplift the packages.
He however, pleaded not guilty to the charge concerning Monroe.
The man who is already on remand for similar matters before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, was further remanded for these charges until March 17, when the SOCU prosecutor will indicate to the court whether a request was made for a summary disposal of the matters.
The prosecutor told the court that Okoye sent a Facebook friend request to the women and subsequently sought communication with them via WhatsApp. The court heard that the women were told of some very expensive gifts being sent to them and were advised to make contact with someone purporting to be employed at a shipping company about the box having arrived at the airport for them. The court was further told that the two women were informed that they will have to pay various sums of money in order to uplift the box. Monroe however only made one payment prior to making her report. Balkaran made several and each time a payment was made she was told of another reason more funds needed to be transferred.
Stabroek News had previously reported that the Guyana Police Force in a press release had stated that Okoye is suspected to be part of a criminal network involving Nigerian nationals who collaborate with other associates and solicit cash from their victims by promising high valued merchandise to be delivered following the payment of a charge or fee amounting to millions from four victims so far. The police also informed that Okoye had entered Guyana from Brazil without presenting himself to the nearest immigration officer.
According to the police, the criminal network has been operating for the past six months in Guyana and has links to Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Venezuela, among other countries.
