Car dealer accused of conning buyers of over $2M

A car dealer, who allegedly collected money from clients but failed to deliver their vehicles, was remanded to prison yesterday.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry refused bail to Gunraj Raghubeer, 36, of 26 Gordon Street, Kitty, who appeared before her in Court One on three charges of fraudulent conversion. Raghubeer was not required to plead to the indictable charges, which allege that at Georgetown, he was entrusted by Narine Ramkissoon with $500,000, by Latchman Chintaman with $500,000, and by Mark Fung with $1,360,000 to purchase cars for them, but converted the money to his own use.

Police Corporal Kerry Bostwick stated that the three men gave their money to Raghubeer, who is an auto dealer, to purchase the vehicle for them. He said that Raghubeer informed the men that they would receive their cars by a certain time, but the deadline passed and none of the men received anything.

Bostwick added that the men reported the matter to the police and Raghubeer was arrested and charged with the offence.

Bostwick objected to bail, pointing out the quantum of money involved in the charge. He also said that he was afraid that if Raghubeer was to be admitted to bail he might not return to court to stand trial.

He was subsequently remanded to prison until the case is called again on April 16.