MICHAEL Bhoodoo, a known fraudster of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, was sentenced to two years imprisonment by Senior Magistrate Alex Moore after he was found guilty on two counts of forgery at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

Police said on December 14, 2016, Bhoodoo, a convicted felon, visited the home of Berbice businessman Toolie Gupta at Number Two Village, East Canje, with the intention to defraud , endeavoured to obtain a quantity of cosmetics valued at $1,090,000.

However, the virtual complainant became suspicious, as he had never engaged in any business dealings with the suspect. After a Demerara Bank cheque purportedly signed by Chandraballie Sayroo was handed over, a cash payment was demanded, resulting in the men visiting a popular New Amsterdam Hotel where the fraudster was lodging.

At the hotel, Bhoodoo was seen giving a victory sign to another known local fraudster, confirming Gupta’s fears. As a result, Gupta demanded that Bhoodoo go get the money, and while waiting outside, he hurriedly searched the convict’s car where he unearthed several documents which were seemingly forged. Consequently, Gupta visited the nearby Central Police Station, where ranks accompanied him to the hotel. Bhoodoo was arrested and subsequently charged. However, following his initial appearance at the New Amsterdam Court, where he was granted pre-trial liberty , the convict skipped the jurisdiction, but was recently nabbed following a similar conviction at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court..