Duo arrested for impersonating Ministry of Housing employees, attempting to defraud ECD man

Two men were arrested on Monday for allegedly attempting to defraud an East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident by impersonating employees of Housing and Water Ministry.
The primary suspect, an unemployed 30-year-old man from Mes Delices, Canal No. 1, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was apprehended while attempting to secure $250,000 as payment for a plot of land.
His accomplice, a 31-year-old man from Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown was also taken into custody after attempting to flee upon sighting the police. The men were arrested at the Housing and Water Ministry, Brickdam, Georgetown.
Police stated that the intended victim, 30-year-old Andrew Albert from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) reported that on Friday, around 10:00h, he received a call from an individual claiming to be a surveyor named Sookram from the Ministry of Housing.
Albert was promised a low-income house lot for $500,000, of which he needed to pay half as an initial deposit. The alleged fraudster instructed Albert to meet him at the Ministry of Housing on Monday at 10:00h.
On the day of the planned meeting, Albert received an acknowledgment letter from the Central Housing and Planning Authority, which stated he had been allocated a house lot at Enterprise, ECD.
Suspicious of the transaction, Albert informed the police and pointed out the suspect at the Ministry of Housing’s office. The police arrested the suspect, who had the acknowledgment letter and a receipt made out in Albert’s name for the house lot payment.
During the arrest, the accomplice attempted to escape but was quickly apprehended.
Upon questioning, he admitted to knowing the primary suspect for about two months and said he had been asked to accompany him to the Ministry of Housing after meeting earlier on Robb Street, Georgetown.
Both suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue into the fraudulent scheme.