Businessman accused of $4M land fraud released on bail

A 53-year-old businessman, who is alleged to have swindled $4M from a man by pretending that he was authorized to sell over 11 acres of rice lands appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Wednesday, charged with obtaining money by false pretense.

Mohan Jabadeen of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, denied that on July 2, 2017, at Herstelling, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $4M from Roopchan Maraj under the pretense that he was authorized to sell 11.5 acres of rice lands at Leguan (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Jabadeen was released on $150,000 bail and had his matter adjourned to November 22, 2017.

According to reports, Jabadeen sold Maraj the land for the sum of $5M but the victim paid $4M as down payment. It was later discovered that Jabadeen transferred the land title to his sister.