NEIL Benjamin, who was charged numerous times for fraud, on Wednesday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and admitted that he conned two women out of money by falsely pretending he could provide turn-key houses and a motorcar.

Benjamin of Section ‘C’ Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, pleaded guilty to the two fraud-related charges when they were read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. He was later sentenced to two years in prison for the first charge and 18 months in prison for the second charge.

Between June 6, 2020 and December 30, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $1,168,000 from Odessa Bobb by falsely pretending to her that he was in a position to obtain two houses and land from the Ministry of Housing for her, knowing same to be false.

He also admitted that between December 19, 2020, and January 8, 2021, at Carmichael Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $360,000 from Vanetta James by falsely pretending that he was in a position to purchase and deliver a motorcar to her, knowing same to be false.

The court was told that Benjamin and Bobb are known to each other. During the middle part of 2020, Benjamin contacted Bobb, informing her that he knows of someone who works at the Ministry of Housing. Benjamin told the woman about a turn-key house located in Perseverance, East Bank Demerara and she later expressed her interest in purchasing the property.

Benjamin informed her that the house would cost $4.2M. Bobb agreed to the price and started the transaction with $600,000 which was said to be the processing fee. Bobb later told Benjamin that her uncle, who resides in the USA, was also interest in purchasing a turn-key house. Bobb’s uncle sent a total of $568,000 for her to make a payment to Benjamin on his behalf.

While Bobb was performing duties at her workplace, one of her colleagues brought to her attention a news article concerning Benjamin and several fraud offences laid against him in 2017. The woman immediately made a report to the police and an investigation which was conducted, resulted in him being arrested and charged.

Regarding the second matter, the court was informed that James made contact with Benjamin via Facebook and they eventually become close friends. James invited Benjamin to her house. While there, he overheard her talking about saving money to buy a car. Benjamin later questioned her about the type of car she wanted and informed her that he could get an affordable one from a dealer. He even took the woman to the dealership to view a range of cars from which she could make a selection.

Between the periods mentioned in the charge, the woman handed over $360,000 to him as down payment towards the purchase of the vehicle. She was given receipts which were signed by Benjamin. However, James never received a car. She later learnt that the man had been charged with several fraud-related offences. A report, which was made to the police, led to his arrest.