Couple Charged With THIRTY-SIX (36) Counts of ABM Card Fraud — Totaling $67,800

A Piparo couple was granted bail with a surety when they appeared before Justice of the Peace (JP), Boodlal Balkaran, on Wednesday 26th January 2022, charged with fraudulent use of an ABM card.

The accused, Vishnu Banan, 30, of Pascal Road, Piparo, was granted $75,000 bail after he was charged with thirty-four (34) counts of fraudulent use of an ABM card, in sums totaling $62,800. Amelia Banan, 23, of the same address, was granted $50,000 bail after she was charged with two (2) counts of fraudulent use of an ABM card in sums totaling $5,000. The two (2) accused are expected to appear before a Chaguanas Magistrate on Tuesday 22nd February 2022.

According to Police reports, in January 2020, joint holders of a bank account reported discovering a discrepancy when they checked the balance on their account. After receiving information from their bank, it was discovered that during the period 31st October 2019 and 10th January 2020, a quantity of cash was allegedly withdrawn from the account by use of an ABM card. The holders of the account did not conduct such transactions, nor did they authorize anyone to do the same.

W/Cpl (Ag.) Kissoonsingh of the Southern Division Fraud Squad conducted investigations into the matter, and as a result, Amelia and Vishnu Banan were arrested and charged with the offences on Wednesday 26th January 2022.

The exercise was co-ordinated by Snr. Supt. Arlet Groome, Supt. Rueben and supervised by Insp. Bachoo, Sgt. Seepersad and included Cpl (Ag.) Mohammed and PC Jemmet of the Fraud Squad - South Office.