A 29-year-old shopkeeper was on Wednesday placed on $300,000 bail after he was charged with trying to defraud a woman through the delivery of an overseas package.
Denzel Lawrence Muir of Barnwell North, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony.
The charges were laid by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
Muir pleaded not guilty to the charges which was read to him by Magistrate Rushell Liverpool when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court.
He was granted $150,000 bail on each charge.
The case was adjourned to August 22 for statements.
The accused was represented by attorney Dexter Smart while the State’s case was presented by Deputy Superintendent, Neville Jeffers.
In a statement, SOCU they commenced several investigations relating to romance/package delivery scams, allegedly mastermind by Nigerian nationals in September 2022.
During the probe, SOCU said it was revealed that Muir conspired with other persons who befriended the victim through WhatsApp and formed a relationship with her.
“Her (victim) lover called her via WhatsApp and told her that he sent an expensive package with surprises for her. She received a call from someone who claimed that he was working at the Airport in New York and the person informed her that her package has arrived in Guyana and someone will call her to pay the customs fees,” SOCU explained.
Subsequently, SOCU said the woman received a call from a male who told her that she needs to pay $160,000 to clear customs.
“The person gave her the name and identification particulars of the accused for her to send the money in his name via the Post Office Corporation,” SOCU added.
As such, the victim sent the money via the Post Office Money Order in the name of the accused.
But records showed that while Muir received the money, the victim never received any package.
Further investigations were carried out and the accused was charged.
Several charges are forthcoming for other accused persons, SOCU said.
On Monday last, four romance scammers were charged by SOCU) after they defrauded eight women of $804,000.
We have all got to be vigilant. Times are too hard for us to be duped.