Fraudster who received presidential pardon from Granger back in court

A 47-year-old businesswoman, who was pardoned by former President David Granger in 2017, was on Friday released on $3M bail for passport fraud and swindling $6.5M from a man.

Khemawattie Ramnauth of Grove, East Bank Demerara was arraigned before City Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.

The first charge alleged that Ramnauth between February 20, 2020, and October 5, 2021, at Georgetown with intent to defraud, she forged one United States of America Passport # 454099867 in the name Shirley Shiwmangal with a picture bearing her likeness, purporting to show that same was issued by the United States Department of State, knowing the same to be forged.

The second charged alleged that Ramnauth between February 20, 2020, and August 24, 2020, at Georgetown with intent to defraud, obtained from Brian Perriera the sum of $6.5M by falsely pretending that her name is Latchmin Shiwmangal, a registered owner of a property situated at Block XXX Zone East Bank Demerara Parcel 1107, Part of South Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown and that she was in the position to sell it to him knowing same to be false.

Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris told the court that Ramnauth was convicted in 2015 for a similar charge but was pardoned by the former President in 2017.

He objected to Ramnauth being released on bail citing the seriousness and gravity attached to the charge. However, Magistrate Bess granted Ramnauth $3M bail.