Police yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for Devindra Moteeram, the 25-year-old man who allegedly collected $700,000 from a Plaisance couple as a down payment for a minibus, which he never delivered.
In the wanted bulletin, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said Moteeram is wanted for questioning in relation to obtaining money by false pretence and other offences.
The crime was allegedly committed on November 4, 2022. Moteeram’s last known address is Postel Squatting area, Georgetown, the police said.
The female complainant, who had asked that her and her husband’s names be withheld had told Stabroek News that they handed over the cash to Moteeram, who she said was a friend of her husband.
Moteeram was acting as the middleman for someone who he claimed was selling a mini bus for $1.8 million. They were told that the person was willing to accept a down payment of $300,000 followed by monthly installments of $50,000 until the bus was paid for.
The wife had said they inspected the bus on four occasions at two different locations, North Ruimveldt and a place on the West Demerara. She said two mechanics accompanied them to check the bus and they both found that it was in good working condition.
According to the wife, after the cash was handed over to Moteeram, he promised the couple that the following Monday he would be handing over the documents for the bus and the vehicle.
However, when the day arrived, her husband tried calling Moteeram to inquire about the promised transaction but the man did not answer his phone. She said her husband also contacted someone who identified himself as “Mr. Khan” and claimed to be the owner of the bus and he said that the bus and the documents would be handed over by Thursday. The reputed owner also said the bus was taken to a mechanic to change the key switch and the transmission, which had been damaged.
When the new day arrived for the handover, Moteeram called her husband and informed him that he would return some of the money received for the down payment as he was not getting through to Mr. Khan.
It was at that point that the frustrated husband told Moteeram that “either you give me the bus or all of my money back.” Moteeram hung up the phone and that was the last time the couple heard from him.
Moteeram was however spotted by the husband last Wednesday morning on Church Street, between Cummings and East Street. He approached him and asked for his money. Moteeram reportedly said he would bring some of the money the same afternoon but the husband was unmoved and stated that he wanted all of his money back and not just some. Moteeram asked the husband to give him a minute as he was going to hand someone some documents.
The husband said that Moteeram went to another car and stood there for about ten minutes before entering it and getting away. As a result, the angry husband later let air out of the tyres from Moteeram’s vehicle, which was left parked on the street.
The wife further stated that when her husband went to the address where the bus had been parked, a man emerged and told him the bus belonged to him and he wasn’t aware of the sale. The owner did say he knew Moteeram, who used to work for him.
The couple then made a report to the Criminal Investigation Department.
Moteeram was among five persons who were accused of forging several cheques to the value of $19.4 million in the name of the Guyana Revenue Authority. They were charged with the offences last year. He was released on bail.
Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Moteeram is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6940, 225-8196, 226-7476, 225-2317, 225-8196, 225-1149 or the nearest police station.
