Inmate scammed businessman of over $2M in phone credit by impersonating minister -court hears

A fraud convict was yesterday charged with defrauding a businessman of over $2 million in phone credit by impersonating Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence from prison.

The charge against Mohammed Ali states that between October 5th, 2018 and October 10th, 2018 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $2.1M in phone credit from Julius Belgrave by falsely pretending he was Minister Lawrence.

“I’m a high profile criminal and I’m incarcerated in my own cell in Camp Street,” Ali told the court after pleading not guilty to the charge against him.

Ali was previously convicted and jailed for impersonating First Lady Sandra Granger and taking money from women by promising scholarships to them.

Police allege that Belgrave received a call from Ali, who pretended to be Minister Lawrence and requested that he supply her ministry with phone cards. Ali allegedly made the call while incarcerated at the Camp Street Prison. After transferring the credit, Belgrave went over to the Ministry of Health to receive his payment but he was told that the call was fake and that he had been defrauded.

Ali was remanded until February 21st, when his next hearing is scheduled.

Last week, Ali’s father, Azaad Ali, called Shamir, 57, was charged with the same offence.

It was alleged that he conspired with his son and another person or other persons and, with intent to defraud, took $2.1 million in phone credit from Belgrave by pretending same to be for Lawrence, knowing the claim to be false. He was released on $100,000 bail and was told to report to the police every Friday until the matter is concluded.