NORMAN Phillips, of Lot 150 ‘BB’ Eccles, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday, charged with obtaining money under false pretence. He pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, between November 15 and 16, 2011, in Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $170,000 from Harold Carr, by falsely pretending that he was employed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and was in a position to secure a house lot knowing it to be false.
Police Corporal, Jairam Luckhai, prosecuting, said the virtual complainant is an overseas-based Guyanese who was interested in owning a house lot and the defendant was introduced to him.
The prosecutor said Phillips told Carr he can process it for him at a cost of $500,000 and the latter gave the former $100,000 and $70,000 on two different days.
However, Carr became suspicious when he did not receive a receipt and reported the matter.
At the request of the prosecutor, Phillips was put on $250,000 bail, ordered to lodge his passport and report, every Friday, to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) until April 7.