Brazilian Trader charged for using fake ATM cards

[www.inewsguyana.com] – A 30 – year – old Brazilian Businessman appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 04 where he was charged with stealing cash by using a fake Automated Teller-Machine (ATM) card.

Ramon Xavier Moriera was placed on $100,000 bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan after pleading not guilty to the charge which alleged that on August 31 at Georgetown, he stole $60,000, property of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

The accused told the court that he travels between the United States and Guyana where he traded clothing and perfumes. Police Prosecutor, Dinero Jones told the court that the defendant came to Guyana from the Lethem route on vacation and is not a holder of any bank account.

The court heard that he was caught on camera the day he withdrew the cash; however when he returned on the second occasion to make another transaction, he was arrested. The Prosecutor further stated that Moriera’s name was on the visa card but the number was not registered to him.

The Police Prosecutor opposed bail on the grounds that the defendant is not a local and has no ties to this country and should not be granted bail as he may not return for his trial.

The prosecution’s objection was overruled and Moriera was ordered to lodge his passport and report daily to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The accused was left in the custody of the Brazilian Embassy until the completion of the trial and the matter was adjourned until September 09.