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Fmr. Colombian Army Major used fake ATM cards to withdraw $1.8M – court hears
A 42-year-old retired Major from the Colombian army, is accused of swiping a total of $1.8M in five days from the coffers of a local bank by using fake cards at the Automated Teller Machines (ATM). He visited several of its branches.
Accused: Freddy Riveria Vargas
Freddy Riveria Vargas reportedly targeted Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Limited branches, starting from Lethem, Central Rupununi on July 17, continuing with several city locations and ending at the bank’s Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara branch.
It is said that in one day, the Colombian made withdrawals in Lethem and then made his way to the Bank’s Water Street, Georgetown Location, taking $320,000 with him. In one day, he bagged $530,000, using the same location – Regent Street – twice and later the Water Street branch, Georgetown.
Vargas appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday and denied the 12 counts of simple larceny. He was remanded to prison.
The court heard that on July 17, last at Lethem, Vargas stole $120,000 of GBTI’s money. The next day (September 18), he is accused of returning to the said bank and stealing $230,000. Later the very day, he reportedly ventured from the Central Rupununi bank to the city, where at Water Street branch he got his hands on $90,000 using the fake ATM cards.
It is alleged, too, that on July 19, he returned to the Water Street ATM and stole $100,000 while at the bank’s Regent Street branch, he pocketed a total of $430,000, taking $230,000 and $200,000 on separate occasions.
The court heard that on the very day, the former army major made his way to the bank’s Providence location and stole $160,000. Vargas continued and reportedly travelled to GBTI’s Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara location and stole $60,000.
The next day (September 20), the 42-year-old reportedly travelled to the Providence location and made off with $100,000. He purportedly struck at the Ashmin’s Mall, High Street ATM taking $90,000 of GBTI’s money.
The court heard that the Colombian national’s spree continued. He is accused of returning to the bank’s Water Street branch on July 21, this time making off with $140,000. He also stole $360,000 from GBTI’s Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara branch.
Media reports indicate that it was on this day, that Vargas’s spree came to an end. It is said that he was arrested as he was about to make another withdrawal at an ATM. When checked, Vargas reportedly had a number of ATM cards in his possession.
According to reports, it was on the cameras attached to the bank’s branches across the country that Vargas was seen withdrawing cash. He has since been charged with 18 counts of simple larceny and the court heard yesterday that he will be facing more charges.
He is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat. She appeared for him in association with Attorney-at-Law Peter Hugh. Rahamat told the court that the retired Colombian serviceman was on a visit to Guyana and was staying at the Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara. It is there that he was taken into police custody, she said.
Rahamat said that Vargas has similar matters pending before Magistrate Ann McLennan (in the said Georgetown Magistrates’ Court). He was granted bail, she said, but he has not been able to raise the money to post it. The court heard that Vargas wishes to have his name cleared.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Vishnu Hunt objected to the bail application, pointing out that the 42-year-old has no fixed place of abode in Guyana and posed a flight risk. He said that while Vargas has matters pending in another Magistrate’s court, seven more charges relating to GBTI ATM scams will be brought against him.
Magistrate Latchman refused bail and Vargas was remanded to prison. He will appear before her again on September 25.
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