Denzel Lawrence Muir, a shopkeeper of Barnwell North, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, was on Wednesday charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) with two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.
Lawrence appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool, where the charges were read, the Administration of Justice Act was applied, and he pleaded not guilty.
He was granted $150,000 bail for both charges. The matter has been adjourned to August 22.
The 29-year-old Muir was represented by Attorney-at-law Dexter Smart, while Deputy Superintendent Neville Jeffers presented the matter on behalf of the State.
In September 2022, based on an intelligence report, SOCU commenced several investigations concerning romance/package delivery scams allegedly being masterminded by Nigerian nationals.
As a result of these investigations, it was revealed that the defendant conspired with other persons who befriended the victim via WhatsApp and formed a relationship with her.
Henceforth, the victim’s “lover” had called her via WhatsApp and told her that he had sent an expensive package with “surprises” for her. The woman then received a call from someone who claimed that he was working at the airport in New York, and the person informed her that her package has arrived in Guyana and someone would call her to pay the customs fees.
The victim subsequently received a call from a male, who told her that she needed to pay the amount of $160,000 to clear customs.
The person gave her the name and identification particulars of the accused for her to send the money in his name via the Post Office Corporation. As such, the victim sent the money via the Post Office Money Order in the name of the accused.
Post Office records reveal that the accused received the money, but the victim never received any package. Further investigations were carried out, and the accused was arrested and charged.
On Monday, four persons, including a Guyana Post Office employee, were charged with 21 counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and three counts of forgery.
This was after eight Guyanese women who had had a long-distance relationship with a male Caucasian were allegedly conned of $804,000.
The four: Khadijah Long, unemployed resident of Lot 28-26 Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden; Wayne Halley, 27, a driver of Lot 194 First Street Mocha, East Bank Demerara; Kevon Mc Bean, 43, a postal clerk attached to the Guyana Post Office Corporation, and of Lot 42 Amelia’s Ward, Linden; and Matthew Ejike Nwackukwu, 36, a Nigerian of Lot 96 Duncan Street, Kitty, Georgetown, appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Principal Magistrate Rondel Weaver on Monday, where the charges were read to them.
They have been charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) with multiple charges. (G11)
