A WOMAN, who alleged conned persons out of money by pretending that she could facilitate the construction of low-income houses, on Friday, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was granted $180,000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Nazia Persaud pleaded not guilty to eight fraud-related charges.

It is alleged that with intent to defraud, she collected a total of $265,000 from Monica Wills at Sandeman Place, Brickdam by falsely pretending that she was in the position to construct a home for the said Monica Wills. The offenses were allegedly committed on November 12, 2019; November 29, 2019; December 23, 2019; February 4, 2020 and February 29, 2020.

It is further alleged that on December 10 and December 13, 2019 at Sandeman Place, Brickdam, she collected a total of $122,000 from Quincy Nelson by falsely pretending that she was in the position to construct a home for his mother, Karima Nurse.

On November 26, 2019, at Sandeman Place, Brickdam, with intent to defraud, she allegedly obtained 200,000 from Deborah Caesar by falsely pretending that she was in the position to construct a home for the said Deborah Caesar. She allegedly collected an additional $40,000 from Caesar on January 20, 2020.

According to the facts, on the dates mentioned in the respective charges, Persaud was able to convince the virtual complainants that the Eclectic Foundation, of which she is a member, was building low-income houses and that they could benefit.

The complainants handed over sums of money to her to complete the transaction. However, after the payments were made nothing was done. A report was made to the police and an investigation was launched.

Persaud was contacted and she admitted receiving the monies. It was further revealed that the organisation is not registered to build low-income houses. As a result, the present charges were laid against Persaud.

This matter was adjourned until February 26, 2021.