A Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of using a computer system to extort $1.5 million from a Canal #1, West Bank Demerara businessman by threatening to release his intimate images.
Charged: Nandkishore Rup Jnr, also known as Niron
Nandkishore Rup Jnr, also known as Niron, of Block 8 Mon Repos, ECD, was convicted on Tuesday before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Wales Magistrate’s Court. He was charged under the Cyber Crime Act #18, which prohibits using electronic means to extort benefits from others.
The prosecution detailed that, between February 27 and March 11, 2024, Rup contacted Troy Persaud, the virtual complainant, via Facebook Messenger and allegedly demanded $1.5 million, threatening to publish nude photographs and videos of Persaud and his wife on Facebook if the payment was not made.
Following Persaud’s complaint, the matter was referred to the Cyber Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department, and Investigators organized a sting operation which resulted in Rup’s arrest on March 11, 2024.
Rup was formally charged and first appeared in court on May 8, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of “using a computer system to extort a benefit from another person” in contravention of Section 19(4) of the Cyber Crime Act #18, Contrary to Section 19(5)(a) of the Cyber Crime Act #18. He was subsequently granted $100,000 bail.
However, following the trial, Magistrate Weever ruled that the evidence presented proved Rup’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and sentenced him to two years in prison for the offence.
