A Rose Hall, Corentyne woman and her husband were on Tuesday arrested as police launched an investigation after there were reports of an overseas-based Guyanese man claiming that he was defrauded by a woman in Guyana.
The overseas-based Guyanese man had claimed that the woman pretended to be interested in him after which he sent her a total of US$1200. However, after that information became public it was discovered that someone was using the woman’s picture on a fake Facebook profile to build a relationship with the man.
After being made aware, the woman whose photos were being used issued a public statement clarifying that she was unaware of the situation and a police report was filed.
Following an investigation, the couple Shazeela Hitnarine also known as ‘Shazy’, 40, unemployed and Mahesh Inshanally, 29, a self-employed poultry farmer were detained.
`Catfishing’ is a form of online deception in which someone pretends to be a different person.
Stabroek News was told that charges that are expected to be recommended by the police against Hitnarine include under the Cyber Crime Act, Section 19 (3) (a) A person commits an offence if the person uses a computer system to disseminate any information, statement or image, knowing the same to be false, that – causes damage to the reputation of another person.
She is also being accused of obtaining money by false pretense. Hitnarine’s name is on the receipt provided by the overseas man who sent the money.
Commander of Region Six, Shivpersaud Bacchus yesterday confirmed that investigations are continuing.
However, a police source noted, that two cellular phones were found in Hitnarine’s possession. However, after checks were made it was discovered that other persons also sent money to Hitnarine who was allegedly pretending to be someone else.
