A 41-year-old man of Lot 15 Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of .5 million for allegedly committing a million fraud.
He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The charge against Rajesh Tahadeo stated that on September 7, 2015, at Georgetown, he conspired with another person to commit a felony; that is to say, obtaining money by false pretence.
It is alleged that Tahadeo had falsely obtained million by virtue of a Republic Bank cheque #322007167, from Lloyd Singh after falsely pretending he knew Shane-Ann Boston as “Venice LaRose”, claiming the said woman owned a plot of land at Block H1 Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara.
Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt stated in the prosecution’s case that the defendant and the Virtual Complainant (VC) are known to each other. He stated that on the day in question, the defendant brought a woman to the VC, claiming she had a plot of land to sell. Singh paid the million and bought the land. However, it was later discovered that the plot of land was not for sale and the passport the woman used as a form of identification was forged.
Tahadeo’s Attorney Glen Hanoman said Tahadeo was granted bail in his own recognisance and has given six statements to Police Officers at the Police station.
Hanoman continued that his client is surprised to have been called into court and charged. He argued that his client was not aware that the woman was a con woman. He therefore requested bail to be set in a reasonable sum.
Police Prosecutor Hunt indicated to the court that he has no objections to bail since the defendant cooperated with Police Officers during the investigation. He further stated that the defendant was only made aware of the charges the day before via phone call when he was also told he needed to attend court the next day.
Magistrate Latchman granted the defendant bail in the sum of ,500,000, to which the Defence Attorney objected. According to Hanoman, the amount granted would be tantamount to bail being refused to his client.
He explained that Tahadeo is currently in an embarrassing financial situation, and appealed for the sum to be reduced.
The Magistrate stated that she had considered his request and bail was maintained at the sum of .5 million.
The defendant is scheduled to make his next court appearance on November 1, 2016, before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for statements and assignment.
