US visa ‘seller’ runs off with money –court hears

A man who allegedly promised to get a US visa for another and stole the money that was given to him to get the visa was on Friday remanded to prison when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magis-trate’s Court.

It is alleged that on July 30 at Georgetown, Charlie Appana, 38, of 106 Miss Phoebe, Corentyne, Berbice stole from Sahadeo Narine US$10,000 ($2 million).

The cell phone vendor pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by the Acting Chief Magistrate.

When given a chance to respond, the virtual complainant (VC) told the court that he had accumulated the money to be paid to the defendant in order to uplift the visa and the defendant snatched the bag containing the money and ran away.

Police Prosecutor Denise Griffith who corroborated what the VC said added that the accused was apprehended by the VC and a police patrol shortly after he had taken off. Griffith said also that all of the money was recovered on the person of the defendant and was lodged at the Brickdam Police Station.
The unrepresented Appana was denied bail and has to return to Court Five for August 14.