A Freeport man has been charged with eight counts of money laundering in connection with an alleged HDC scam.
Police, in a statement yesterday, said Junior Rajkumar, 33, was granted bail with a surety of $65,000 when he appeared before a Master of the Port-of-Spain High Court, charged with the offences.
He was also charged with one count of larceny during the court appearance on Wednesday.
The matter was adjourned to June 25.
As a condition of bail, the accused is to report to the Freeport Police Station once a week between 6 am and 6 pm.
Police reports said a woman reported to officers that in August 2020, she deposited $8,000 into a bank account belonging to a man who led her to believe that he was in a position to assist her in acquiring a Housing Development Corporation unit.
The victim allegedly later found this untrue and attempts to have the monies repaid proved futile.
A report was made to the police and an investigation was launched by officers of the Fraud Squad.
On June 4, an operation was spearheaded by Snr Supt Arlet Groome, Supt Lutchman and ASP Job, and led by Insp Thomas in the Central Division which resulted in the arrest of a male suspect in connection with the matter.
The suspect was subsequently charged with the offences by WPC Walkes-Jessamy, also of the Fraud Squad.
In the TTPS statement, the Fraud Squad reminded members of the public that the only institution they should obtain any documents and approvals for HDC units is the HDC itself.
People are advised to contact the HDC and to exercise due diligence before conducting any transactions for housing units.