Car dealer faces new fraud charge

Car dealer Gunraj Raghubeer made his second court appearance in a week yesterday, when he was faced with another accusation of collecting money from clients but failing to deliver their vehicles.

Gunraj Raghubeer, 36, of 26 Gordon Street, Kitty was read a charge of fraudulent conversion by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

As with the three charges read against him last week, he pleaded not guilty, denying the allegation that between September 12, 2012 and January 7, 2013, being solely entrusted by Felicia Alfred and Kenrick Alfred with $2,340,000 to purchase motor vehicles for them, he fraudulently converted the money to his own use.

Gunraj Raghubeer
Gunraj Raghubeer

Police Corporal Kerry Bostwick said the Alfreds, who are husband and wife, entrusted Raghubeer with the money to purchase vehicles on their behalf, but he failed to deliver the vehicles by the arranged deadline and they reported the matter to the police.

Bostwick objected to bail on the grounds that Raghubeer has pending matters before the court of a similar nature. He also pointed 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.
But the magistrate overruled the prosecution’s objection and granted the defendant bail in the sum of $650,000.
The case will be heard again on April 26.