By Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Spanish Town:

Craig DaCosta a 35-year-old unemployed of Benbow, in St Catherine was surprised when he was sentenced to 18 months hard labour on fraud-related charges in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

When DaCosta appeared before RM. Lorna Errar Gayle, arresting officer Constable Adrian Robinson outlined that on July 1, the complainant met DaCosta at the LOJ Shopping Centre. DaCosta reportedly convinced the complainant he could get an American visa for him and that he had known him for a very long time.

After being convinced, the complainant handed over four passports along with $116,000 to the accused. DaCosta was able to convince the complainant that the visas were being processed and they should do more business. DaCosta was reportedly given $200,000 to invest in the Cash Plus scheme but this was not done. The complainant then made a report to the police in August and DaCosta was eventually taken into custody on October 27. He was charged with fraudulent conversion and obtaining money by means of false pretence.

After admitting that he collected $316,000, he told the court that he had no intention of stealing and had promised the complainant that he would return the money. RM Gayle told the accused that his explanation amounted to guilt.

He was sentenced to 18 months on each count to run concurrently. RM Gayle also warned the complainant not to be naive and support criminality in the future.