A 46-year-old man, Kwesi Lewis, who had been granted $400,000 bail on four fraud-related charges in relation to allegedly promising persons that he could get them visas, has been remanded to prison on a similar charge.
When the defendant appeared virtually before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, he pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
It is alleged that in October 2022, at Charlotte Street, Georgetown, he defrauded Claudia Joseph of $55,000 by falsely pretending that he was in a position to acquire a US visa.
The Police prosecutor objected to him being granted bail on the ground that he has similar charges pending. As such, Lewis was remanded to prison until June 19.
Meanwhile, Lewis is facing four similar charges that were filed against him last month.
It is alleged that between September 22, 2022, and February 21, 2023, at Georgetown, Lewis obtained the sum of $150,000 from Evans Stoby and her grandson Jaden Williams by falsely pretending that he was in the position to acquire a Canadian visa.
It is also alleged that he defrauded Tonette Glen and her grandson Jeremiah Carter of a sum of $157,000 between August 20, 2022, and January 23, 2023, at Georgetown, by falsely pretending that he was in the position to acquire an American visa.
It is further alleged that between September 1, 2022, and October 19, 2022, at Georgetown, he defrauded Andrew Nepaul of US$2045 by falsely pretending that he was in the position to acquire an American visa for his brother Chris Nepaul.
Lewis is further accused of defrauding Chris Nepaul of $60,000 on August 10, 2022, at Charlotte Street, Georgetown, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to acquire a US visa for him.
On these charges, he was granted $400,000 bail, on the condition that he reports to the Officer-in-Charge of the Brickdam Police Station every Friday at 09:00 am pending the hearing and determination of his trial. These matters will continue on June 23.
The US Embassy in Georgetown recently warned members of the public to be aware of visa scams in light of an increase in third-party preparers or visa service providers creating fake appointment letters and charging exorbitant fees for visa services people can otherwise do by themselves.
The Embassy has also reiterated that paying someone would not improve an applicant’s chances of getting a visa. In fact, people have been advised to avoid anyone who makes such a claim.
Persons are further advised to report anyone who claims to improve their chances of qualifying for a visa to [email protected]. (G1)
