ECD man who duped women in house, car sale jailed

A 56-year-old man who informed two women that he has connections at the Housing Ministry and at Chris Auto Spares, and that he could easily get a car and house for them, was on Wednesday sentenced to two years’ and 18 months’ imprisonment respectively on two counts of obtaining money by false pretence.
Neil Benjamin, of Lot 254 Section C Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He pleaded guilty to both charges.
The first charge stated that between June 2020 and December 30, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $1.1 million from Odessa Bobb by falsely pretending that he was in a position to obtain two houses and a land from the Housing Ministry for her, knowing same to be false.
The other charge stated that between December 19, 2020 and January 8, 2021, at Carmichael Street Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $300,000 from Vanetta James by falsely pretending to her that he was in a position to purchase and deliver a motorcar to her, knowing same to be false.
The Chief Magistrate sentenced Benjamin to two years in prison on the first charge, and 18 months’ imprisonment on the second charge. The two sentences are to be served consecutively.
According to facts presented by the Police Prosecutor, Bobb and Benjamin shared a relationship. The prosecutor told the court that during the period mentioned in the charge, Benjamin contacted Bobb and informed her that he knew someone working at the Housing Ministry. The court was told that Benjamin told the woman of ‘Turn Key’ homes at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara.
The Prosecutor said that Bobb expressed interest in the homes and signalled her intention to purchase one. Benjamin told the woman the house would cost $4.2M. The woman made a payment of $600,000 as a processing fee.
However, one day while Bobb was at work, the prosecutor said, her friend showed her several news articles about Benjamin being charged for numerous fraud-related offences. As a result of the revelation, Bobb lodged a report with the Police.
In relation to James, the court heard that she and Benjamin met via Facebook. One day, while Benjamin was over at the woman’s house, he overheard her saying that she was saving money to buy a car.
He informed the woman that he has connections at Chris Auto Spares, and showed her a few cars that were on sale at the auto dealership. She then paid him $360,000 as a down-payment towards her car.
After a few months had passed and the woman had not received the car, she later found out that Benjamin had been charged for several fraud-related offences. As a result, she also reported the matter to the Police.
When given a chance to address the court, Benjamin begged for time to repay the women. The Magistrate, however, was informed that Benajmin had been granted time to repay the monies but had failed to do so.
The Police Prosecutor informed the court that similar charges will be laid against Benajmin in the coming weeks. Based on reports, in 2016 and 2018, Benjamin was charged with similar offences. In one instance, the presiding magistrate was forced to issue a warrant for his arrest after he had failed to attend court.
These matters were nevertheless settled out of the court. In 2012, according to reports, he was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment on a fraud-related charge. (G1)