Accused in $2M property scam gets bail

A man was yesterday charged with conning a woman of over $2 million in a scheme in which he claimed he could sell her a house and land.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan read the charge of obtaining money by false pretence to Harry Baptiste, 62, who is accused of obtaining $2,000,500 from Audrey Mootoosammy. It is alleged that between December 5, 2016 and January 11, 2017, at Georgetown, Baptiste obtained the money by claiming that he was in the position to sell a home and land, located at Provi-dence, East Bank Deme-rara to Mootoosammy, knowing same to be false.

The Queenstown man was not required to plead to the charge.

The court also heard that police have to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Representing Baptiste was attorney Bernard Da Silva, who told the court that his client was in contact with the complainant and they were working towards an agreement. As a result, he requested that his client be released on reasonable bail.

This, however, was not corroborated by Mootoosammy, who told the court that she and Baptiste are yet to come to an agreement because he is not consistent.

Baptiste was later granted $200,000 bail and is to make his next court appearance on February 22.