Micah Sonaram of Flying Fish Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown has appeared once again in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The 24-year-old man appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plea to three counts of fraudulent conversion.
The first charge stated that between November 19, 2020 and December 29, 2020, at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Mohamed Ahmad, he fraudulently converted $3.5M obtained from Mohamed Ahmad to purchase a motor vehicle, knowing same to be false.
It has also been alleged that between November 29 and January 2, 2021, at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Mohamed Ahmad, he fraudulently converted $3M obtained from Mohamed Ahmad to purchase an excavator, knowing same to be false.
It has further been alleged that between December 2, 2020 and December 11, 2020, at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Mohamed Ahmad, he fraudulently converted $2M obtained from Mohamed Ahmad to purchase an excavator, knowing same to be false.
Sonaram was represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahaman, who told the court that her client has no conviction, but he is before the court for a pending matter similar in nature – for which he has been granted bail.
Rahaman, in her bail application, said her client would attend court and abide by any condition attached to reasonable bail.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor informed the court that Sonaram is known to the Police. He added that the defendant was charged in 2017 for fraud-related offences, and currently has three counts of fraudulent conversion before the Court.
He further submitted that the accused fraudster is the owner of a registered business called “Parts Zone Gy”, which claims to import and sell refurbished machines.
He told the court that the virtual complainant (VC) visited the business and made arrangements for the purchase of two excavators and a skid-steer loader. He further made a down-payment of $8.5M via two local banks for the purchase.
The virtual complainant was subsequently issued a receipt and told by Sonaram that his items would arrive in 30 days. The prosecutor said that after making contact with Sonaram several times and not receiving his items, the VC made a report to the Police. To date, he has not received the items.
Nevertheless, the prosecutor did not object to bail, but asked that Sonaram be made to lodge his passport with the court and report to the Criminal Investigation Department weekly.
Magistrate McLennan placed the accused fraudster on $20,000 bail on each charge, and ordered that the conditions suggested by the prosecutor be applicable.
The matter will be called again on March 31.
Sonaram was previously placed on $300,000 bail on a similar charge which is currently before the court. It is alleged that he swindled $11.4M from two other persons.
Sonaram pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stated that between October 24, 2020, and January 21, 2021, at Georgetown, he received $3,744,000 from Clive Jordan to purchase and deliver an excavator, a Honda ATV and excavator parts, but failed to do so, and instead converted the money to his own use and benefit.
It was also alleged that between November 3rd, 2020 and January 12, 2021, at Georgetown, he received $7,700,000 from June Ann Daniels to purchase and deliver an excavator, but instead failed to do so and converted the money to his own use and benefit.
Following his not-guilty pleas, Magistrate Isaacs had granted Sonaram bail in the sum of $150,000 on each charge, and had ordered him to return to court on March 15th, when the matter would be called again.
Further, in 2017, Sonaram was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read three fraud charges to him which involved minors.
Sonaram was granted $150,000 bail. (G15)
