Con artists using classified ads to target customers

Nov 12, 2014 News

An East Coast Demerara businesswoman is thanking her lucky stars after she responded to a newspaper advertisement and was conned almost $90,000. The gang of con artists has since returned the money and the victim is warning persons to be on alert.
According to the businesswoman, she responded to an advertisement in Kaieteur News published early last week which offered “specialized repair to washing machines, refrigerator, dryer, stoves, AC units, hot water pressure pumps, ovens, deep fryer…”
The businesswoman was interested repairs to be done to a pressure pump.
“I called this number and a woman answered. She called for someone named Ricky and he came on the phone. He was well spoken.”
The man took directions and came later in the afternoon. “He told me that the tank for the pump was too small and had to be changed. He said that if he had to supply the parts, it would cost $85,000. But if I buy the parts the workmanship would cost $20,000.”
“Ricky”, described as chubby man, took an advance of $5,000.
The businesswoman said she spoke to the man on Wednesday last and he told her that he was unable to make it then as he was working to install air-condition units in the Turkeyen area.
The woman said she became interested also in the air condition units and made arrangements for the man to install two at her property.
However, the woman, being a cautious person, told the “contractor” who gave his name as Ricky Dass Persaud, that she wanted to see where he operated from before she handed over an advance. “Ricky” had no objections and met her at a Third Street, Alexander Village address where he pointed to a back house.
The businesswoman, reassured that “Ricky” was a legit person, agreed for the transaction and the man arrived at her Enterprise property on Friday. He came in a car, a white Toyota Corona Premio bearing registration, PHH7554. The man even had a contract which said that two Samsung 12,000 BTU Split Air Conditioners were supposed to be installed at the Enterprise property. In the back seat of the car were what appeared to be the air condition units.
It was agreed that the price for the supply and installation of the units would be $170,000, with $90,000 to be paid immediately and the balance within three months.
On signing the contract, the businesswoman said she handed over the advance to “Ricky” who said he was going to the car for the units. However, the man jumped in the car and pulled off.
The frantic woman said she called Ricky’s number, 661-7977, but it was turned off.
She hurried to Alexander Village where “Ricky” said he lived. There was more bad news. Nobody by the name of “Ricky” lived there.
The businesswoman said she visited Kaieteur News where she met with staffers. Checks discovered that two classified ads were placed at the same time by a woman named “Sharon”, including another one offering construction services…for a company called H&R Construction and Consultancy Services.
On Monday, Kaieteur News managed to make contact with a number belonging to a relative of “Ricky” who said that he was out of the country.
The newspaper made it clear that it would not tolerate a fraud and said it would publish photo images of “Sharon” in the newspaper.
Hours later, the businesswoman said that a white car pulled up and the money was delivered.
The driver claimed he was a taxi hired by a man.
“I looked at the number plate on the car and it seems that they had switched some numbers on it. Instead of PHH 7554, it had PHH 7545. I am thankful to Kaieteur News for helping me get back my money. I would also like to urge persons to be careful. There are many con people out there.”

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Con artists using classified ads to target customers

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