Parika man fined, jailed in absentia for ATM fraud

A Parika resident, who was caught with illegal bank cards at an ATM in Georgetown, has been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison and fined $800,000.

Tulsie Ramprashad, 28, was arrested on October 28, 2023, at the Citizens Bank ATM outlet located at OMG on Sheriff Street and Campbell Avenue, Georgetown. At the time of his arrest, he was found with four blank cards that contained magnetic strips—items considered illegal under Section 8(2)(a) of the Cyber Crime Act 16/2008.
Following his arrest, Ramprashad was charged on November 1, 2023, with possession of illegal devices. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison. On January 1, 2024, he was granted bail in the sum of $300,000, and the case was transferred to Magistrate Court 6 for trial.
However, when the case was called at Court 6 on Friday, Ramprashad did not appear. Magistrate Orinthia Schmidt subsequently found him guilty of the charge, and he was sentenced to two years of imprisonment in absentia, and ordered to pay a fine of $800,000.
Ramprashad’s arrest was linked to an ongoing investigation into ATM fraud schemes targeting commercial banks in Georgetown. He was among a group of individuals suspected of attempting to use fraudulent devices to manipulate ATMs.
On November 3, 2023, Ramprashad and another man, 37-year-old Bhojnarayan Gopaul of Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD) were remanded to prison after being charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. The prosecution alleged that they were part of a gang involved in ATM fraud, with a suspected mastermind still at large.
Before their arrest, the men had been under police surveillance following reports of suspicious activities at ATMs across the city.
Detectives observed Ramprashad, Gopaul, and a woman, Akashmati Ramnaraine, moving between multiple ATM locations. Surveillance footage showed Ramprashad exiting a black Toyota Fielder Wagon at both the Citizens Bank ATM at Giftland Mall and the ATM at OMG Restaurant, spending approximately 40 to 45 seconds inside before returning to the vehicle.
After their final stop at the OMG ATM, police intercepted the vehicle and conducted a search, uncovering a Bank of America Visa Debit Card, a New York State Medicaid Recipient Card, and two blank cards.
Authorities have not confirmed whether further charges will be brought against others involved in the scheme.