Travel agent docked over alleged N2.1m fraud

A 39-year-old travel agent, Herman Raymond, was on Wednesday arraigned in a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly swindling a businessman of N2.1 million.

Raymond, who resides in Malali Kaduna, is being tried on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in March 2021 at Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.

Leo said that the complainant, Mr. Samson John, made an electronic transfer from his First Bank account to the defendant to process his travel logistics.

He stated that the defendant fraudulently obtained the N2.1 million on the pretence of obtaining a Canadian visa, flight ticket and hotel reservations for the complainant, but issued him fake visa and ticket.

The prosecutor added that when the complainant could no longer locate the defendant he reported the case to the police where an investigation was conducted and Raymond was arrested in Asokoro, Abuja.

The offences contravened Sections 314 and 271 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant residing within the court’s jurisdiction.

Emmanuel further, directed that the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of three years’ tax payment to Kaduna State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Nov. 28 for hearing.