2 on bail over $5.64M alleged land fraud scheme

Two individuals were on Friday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on three counts of obtaining money under false pretence, amounting to more than $5.6 million. The defendants, Sophia Singh, 29 and Feroz Mohamed, 40, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The first charge alleged that on August 13, at Robb Street, Georgetown, the pair obtained $240,000 from Chet Singh by falsely claiming they could secure house lots and land on his behalf. The second charge states that on June 13, they defrauded the same complainant of $2.4 million after pretending they were in a position to provide him with a house lot. The third charge alleges that on June 19, also at Robb Street, Georgetown the duo fraudulently received $3 million from Chet Singh under the pretence of acquiring house lots and land for him.
In her submissions, Sophia Singh’s attorney noted that his client, who resides at New Scheme Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) has a clean record. He urged that reasonable bail be granted, stressing that Singh poses no threat to the complainant.
Mohamed’s Attorney Latchmie Rahamat, argued that her client, a taxi driver, had no connection to Sophia Singh beyond being hired to pick up a package. She said Mohamed had no financial dealings with the complainant, maintains an unblemished record and is not a flight risk. She likewise requested that reasonable bail be granted. The prosecutor opposed bail, pointing to the seriousness of the offences, the penalties involved and the possibility of additional charges against Sophia Singh. He requested that reporting conditions be imposed should bail be considered. After listening to submissions, Magistrate Singh granted $300,000 bail to each defendant. The two were ordered to report to the Brickdam Police Station on the last Friday of every month until the completion of the case and to surrender their passports. The matter was adjourned to September 19.