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Four alleged “romantic bandits” charged
Kaieteur News – Four persons were on Monday charged for scamming eight women in a WhatsApp romance scam.
The defendants were identified as Khadija Long, 27, of Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie Linden, Wayne Halley, 27, of First Street Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), 43-year-old Kevon McBean, a postal clerk of Lot 42 Amelia’s Ward, Linden and a 36-year-old Nigerian National, Matthew EjikeNwackukwu, of Duncan Street, Kitty.
Alleged romantic bandit, Kevon McBean
Alleged romantic bandit, Wayne Halley
They were charged with 21 counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and three counts of Forgery.
The defendants appeared at the Linden Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Rondel Weaver. They all pleaded not guilty. Long, Halley and McBean were released on bail, $50,000, $300,000 and $100,000 respectively, while the Nigerian national was remanded to prison.
Their next court date is scheduled for July 27, 2023.
According to police, the eight women swindled by the “Romantic Bandits” were befriended by a male Caucasian on WhatsApp. The man established a long-distance relationship with women and convinced the victims that he was sending gift packages for them with a cologne, bags, watches, chains and US currency.
Alleged romantic bandit, Khadija Long
Alleged romantic bandit, Matthew EjikeNwackukwu
After promising the gifts, the women received messages from a delivery agent of the Delta Courier Service, informing them that the packages are in transit at their Chicago Office, USA.
They were then asked to send cash to Khadijah Long, Wayne Halley and Matthew Ejike Nwackukwu to facilitate the delivery of the packages.
Subsequently, the victims sent a total of $804,000.00 to the individuals but never received any package.
McBean was later contacted by Halley to assist in processing transactions at the McKenzie Post Office in Linden and she agreed.
Between 24th June, 2022 and 14th July, 2022, she allegedly colluded with Halley and forged the signatures of recipients on several Guyana Post Office Corporation Inland Money Order and collected the cash.
The matters were reported to the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) and investigations led to their arrest.
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