Micah Sonaram, a man who is accused of defrauding his customers of millions of dollars, was slapped with more fraud charges when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.
Sonaram, 24, of Flying Fish Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The defendant was remanded after pleading not guilty.
Remanded: Micah Sonaram
The first charge stated that in November 2020, at North Road Georgetown, while being solely entrusted by Yohance Smith with $1 million to purchase a Bobcat equipment, Sonaram fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit.
It has been further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, while being solely entrusted by Smith with $35,000 to buy an electric control joystick, Sonaram fraudulently converted the cash to his own use and benefit.
The last charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, while being solely entrusted by Smith with $1M to purchase a 210-model excavator, Sonaram converted the sum to his own use and benefit. The accused fraudster will return to court on July 28.
Sonaram had, in April, appeared in court on a similar charge. That charge stated that on November 4, 2020, at North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Steve De Costa with $7 million to purchase an excavator, he fraudulently converted the cash to his own use and benefit. After denying that charge, Sonaram was released on $50,000.
On March 24, Sonaram was slapped with three counts of fraudulent conversion when he appeared before the Chief Magistrate. The first charge had alleged that between November 19, 2020 and December 29, 2020, at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Mohamed Ahmad with $3.5 million to purchase a motor vehicle, Sonaram converted the cash to his own use and benefit.
It was also alleged that between November 29, 2020 and January 2, 2021, at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Ahmad with $3 million to purchase an excavator, he converted the money to his own use and benefit.
It has further been alleged that between December 2, 2020 and December 11, 2020, at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by Ahmad with $2 million to purchase an excavator, Sonaram converted the sum to his own use and benefit. He was granted $20,000 bail on each of the three charges.
Earlier this year, Sonaram was placed on $300,000 bail on two similar allegations.
The first charge 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 has also been alleged that between November 3rd, 2020 and January 12, 2021, at Georgetown, Sonaram received $7,700,000 from June Ann Daniels to purchase and deliver an excavator, but failed to do so, and instead converted the money to his own use and benefit.
Concerning all the charges, the Police Prosecutor told the court that Sonaram is the registered owner of a fly-by-night business called Parts Zone GY Inc., situated at North Road, Lacytown, Georgetown. It was revealed that the company has a Facebook page on which it advertises for sale imported new and refurbished heavy-duty machinery and parts.
The court heard from the prosecutor that persons, after making a downpayment, would then enter into agreement with Sonaram for his company to purchase the items for them. Weeks would go by without the items being delivered, the prosecutor said, adding that customers would request refunding, but to no avail. As such, Police reports were lodged against Sonaram.
Further, in 2017, Sonaram was brought before the Chief Magistrate on three fraud charges which involved minors. Bail for him, at that time, was set at $150,000. (G1)
