Owner of Adrian’s Taxi Service Mohan Sahibdeen, 47, of 1 ‘C’ Blygezight Gardens, was yesterday slapped with two charges of obtaining money under false pretence.
He appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson and was not required to plead to the indictable charges. They stated that on November 26, 2007, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of US$18,000 equivalent to G$3.6M from Suresh Singh, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to obtain an American visa for him.
Also between October 1 and 31, 2009, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $700,000 from Zaheer Shaw, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to obtain an American visa knowing same to be false.
Defence Counsel Mr. Vic Puran, representing the accused, requested reasonable bail and stated that the case will end after two minutes of cross examination. He stated that the virtual complainants can never admit to the court that they went to his client to obtain American visas.
The virtual complainants, who were present in court, stated that the accused threatened to kill both of them when they called inquiring about the money they paid to the accused.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, had no objection to bail, but requested that substantial bail be granted and that the accused lodge his passport and report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The accused was put on $400,000 bail and the application to have his passport lodged was granted. The accused will also have to report to the CID Headquarters every Monday and Friday until the termination of the case.
The case will be called again on May 28.