Another alleged “romantic bandit” charged

Jun 30, 2023 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

Kaieteur News – Another alleged ‘romantic bandit’ was on Wednesday charged for being part of a romance scam masterminded by Nigerian Nationals to swindle women out of money.

Police identified the suspect as Denzel Lawrence Muir, 29, a shopkeeper of Lot 56 Barnwell North, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He was charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court One before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool.

Alleged romantic bandit, Denzel Lawrence Muir

Muir pleaded not guilty and was released on $150,000 bail for each count of the charge. The case against him will continue on August 23, 2022.

According to police, a Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) investigation, revealed Muir allegedly conspired with others to befriend a woman via WhatsApp and formed a relationship with her.

Posing as a lover, they called her and said that an expensive package with surprises will be sent for her. The woman later received a call from someone claiming to be an agent at an Airport in New York.

The fraudster convinced the woman that the package with surprises has arrived in Guyana and that another person will make contact with her for the customs fees. She subsequently received a call from another individual informing her that the fees are $160,000. The woman was instructed to send the money via post office to Muir. She complied but never received her surprises. Investigators were reportedly able to confirm that Muir had indeed received the money.