“Bogus” businessman slapped with more fraud charges
A “bogus” businessman who is accused of collecting millions from persons to ship machinery and spare parts was Wednesday slapped with additional fraud charges. 25-year-old Micah Sonaram of 2273 Flying Fish Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Sonaram was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated the between December 2, 2020, and December 11, 2020, at Georgetown, he fraudulently converted to his own use and benefit, $8.5 million, entrusted to him by Mohamed Ahmad to purchase a 2014 Doosan excavator.
Sonaram was granted $60,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Sonaram is known to the Police since he was charged with similar offences before.
The Police prosecutor told the court that Sonaram is the registered owner of a fly-by-night business called Parts Zone GY Inc. which he operates from a small office at North Road, Lacytown, Georgetown. During the period mentioned in the charge, Ahmad told detectives that he saw the company advertising via Facebook that it imports and sells new, refurbished, and used heavy-duty machinery.
As such, Ahmad contacted Sonaram and made arrangements to purchase a mini excavator. He made a down payment of $850,000. The mini excavator was expected to arrive in Guyana one month after the down payment. After the time elapsed, Ahmad requested a refund for Sonaram who claimed that he was out of town and was trying to accumulate the sum.
A month passed, and the virtual complainant became frustrated and reported the matter to the Police.
An investigation was conducted and he was arrested and charged for the offense. Sonaram was represented by Attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat who asked that her client be released on reasonable bail. He will make his next court appearance on March 31, 2021.
The court heard that Soonaram is currently facing three counts of fraudulent conversion and a total of seven similar reports are lodged against him at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters, Eve Leary, and at the Brickdam Police Station. Investigations are in progress.
Back in 2017, Sonaram was charged with similar offences and released on $150,000 bail. The first charge alleged that Sonaram, between October 1, 2017, and October 31, 2017, at Georgetown, fraudulently obtained $5,500,000 from two minors by falsely pretending he was in a position to import a motor pickup vehicle, knowing same to be false.
It was further alleged that between the said dates, he fraudulently obtained $300,000 from the said minors, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to grant a firearm and a firearm licence, knowing same to be false.
The last charge alleged that between September 1, 2017, and September 30, 2017, he fraudulently obtained $25, 000 from the minors by falsely pretending that he was in a position to obtain identification cards for them.
