A 23-year-old man accused of orchestrating a high-stakes fraud scheme involving fake identification, internet banking deception, and ATM withdrawals amounting to over $36 million has been charged with 48 criminal offences.

Shemaiah Ryan, also known as “Banker”, of Bent Street, Wortmanville, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court #3 on Friday, where he was formally charged with 25 counts of simple larceny and 23 counts of conspiracy to commit computer-related fraud.

The charges stem from a series of transactions carried out in September 2022, in which Ryan allegedly defrauded joint account holders Bernadette Peterkin and Carl Peterkin of a total of $36,444,000.

According to police investigators attached to the Criminal Investigation Department’s Fraud Squad, Ryan conspired with others on September 2, 2022, to create a forged National Identification Card in Carl Peterkin’s name using his personal information. That forged ID was used at a Camp Street branch of a city bank (name withheld) to fraudulently obtain an ATM card and register for internet banking services.

With control over the Peterkins’ account, Ryan then enlisted the help of Donna Edwards and her daughter Chelsea Edwards, claiming he was a government roadworks contractor in Berbice who needed help withdrawing cash to pay workers. Believing his story, the women allowed Ryan to transfer large sums into their personal bank accounts, which they then withdrew and handed over to him.

Between September 2 and 19, 2022, some $17.9 million was transferred to Chelsea Edwards’ account. Between September 7 and 27, 2022, another $13.6 million was moved into Donna Edwards’ account. Additionally, from September 2 to 30, Ryan used the fraudulently obtained ATM card at various locations in and around Georgetown to withdraw $4.8 million in cash. Investigators noted that CCTV footage captured Ryan at the ATMs during each withdrawal.

The Peterkins, who were unaware of the scheme, had never applied for an ATM card nor registered for internet banking.

Ryan, who is unemployed, pleaded not guilty to all 48 charges and was granted $50,000 bail on each count, amounting to $2.4 million in total. The matter has been adjourned until May 16, 2025, for report.

Investigations are ongoing