Berbice woman involved in $283M fraud claims money given to pastor

A woman, who is before the court 19 counts of obtaining by false pretense totaling $283 million has implicated a Berbice pastor, telling the court that all the money was given to him.
Phylicia Jallim, 37, on Monday told Magistrate Peter Huge that the monies were given to the pastor, whom she named.
After a prima facie case was made out against her, Jallim was required to lead a defense in one of the cases and it was during her defense that she implicated the pastor.
Jallim, a former branch manager of NAFICO and of Welcome Street, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice and Thomas Street Kitty, Georgetown is facing 19 counts of obtaining by false pretense from businesspersons.
Additionally, she has also been charged one count of fraudulent misappropriation amounting to $5.8M.
However, after more than seven months only one matter has been heard.
It is alleged that between October and November 2022, she took $38M from Abdul Rashao of Number 9 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Rashao was one of nine witnesses inclusive of five police officers, who testified during the trial being held at the Blairmont Magistrate Court.
The businessman had told that court that initially he was asked to invest $15M with a promise that within one week he will get back his money $3M as profits.
After collecting the $18M, Jallim returned to him and asked him to reinvest the money.
The following week, he was lured into investing an additional $15M and 10 days later a further $6M all totaling $39M.
Jallim on Monday told the court that she did not take any money in false pretense during an unsworn statement in her defense after being asked to lead a defense.
“It was Pastor Danny who organised everything and he is the one who took the man’s money,” she told the court.
Magistrate Huge has set February 26 for his decision.
The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is prosecuting the case.
It was previously reported that in December 2022, a number of persons made reports to SOCU that the accused was operating a Ponzi scheme. Investigations revealed that the woman allegedly deceived persons into believing that she is the Chief Executive Officer of Dream Chasers, a legal investment company, where she borrows money from investors and lend the money to government contractors and farmers who are having financial problems. She allegedly informed the ‘investors’ that she would pay them five to 20 percent interest weekly on their capital invested.
Among those who have made reports to SOCU, was a West Coast Berbice pastor, who claimed to have invested $16.5M; a 29-year-old female employee claimed she invested $7.9M which she took out of her parent’s bank account and a Rosignol businessman who is claiming $38M. The woman said she initially invested $500,000 and received her capital and the promised interest and continued investing and receiving a profit.
She continued to reinvest her capital together with the profits.
Meanwhile, at least eight pastors from Lower Region Five claimed that they too were scammed but have refused to provide SOCU with statements.
Additionally, Jallim was allegedly a member of the New Light Assembly of God Church of Number 4 Village, West Coast Berbice and was entrusted with the safe custody and control of congregation’s Penny Bank Account. She is accused of converting the amount of $5.8M of the Church’s Penny Bank money to her own use and benefit.
SOCU is also prosecuting that matter. (G4)