Alleged Daryl Vaz impersonator charged

The Kingston Western police have charged an auto mechanic with conspiracy to defraud and attempting to obtain money by false pretence after he allegedly used government minister Daryl Vaz's name in an attempt to scam persons.

He is 31-year-old Giovani Francis, otherwise called 'Geico', of Delmar district, Drax Hall, St Ann.

The Denham Town police say about 3:10 p.m. on January 10, Francis contacted a man by telephone purporting to Vaz.

Francis allegedly claimed he could purchase two Toyota Prado motor vehicles at an upcoming auction at a reduced rate.

Francis further claimed that the only money the man should pay is the customs and storage fees amounting to $2.5 million.

The would-be scam victim then raised suspicion and decided to contact the government minister.

The minister confirmed that the activity was a scam and encouraged the man to contact the police.

Subsequently, a report was made to the police and Francis was arrested during an operation.

He was charged after he underwent a question-and-answer session in the presence of his attorney. 

Commenting on the arrest earlier this month, Vaz said the development was worrisome, adding that the situation requires the attention of all the authorities to get to the mastermind of the scam.

In June 2021, another man, Shawn Latham, a merchandiser of Kingston Drive, Kingston 19, was charged with obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion after investigators revealed that between June 9 and 14 of that year, he used Vaz's name and image to trick persons into making payments for vehicles.

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