Trinidadian visitor fined, deported after credit card fraud

A 20-year-old Trinidadian visitor has been fined and ordered to leave Barbados after admitting to using stolen credit card details to book accommodation on the South Coast.

Kal-El Isaiah Justin Johnson, of El Dorado Road, Tunapuna, was escorted from the District ‘A’ Traffic Court by Immigration officials after pleading guilty to dishonestly obtaining US$234.04, the equivalent of $468.08, from a MasterCard credit card in the name of Robert Marshall, with the intention of permanently depriving Marshall by deception, by Johnson falsely representing that he was in lawful possession of the MasterCard number and was authorised to use the credit card last Wednesday.

Prosecutor Station Sergeant Crishna Williams said that Johnson arrived on the island on July 17, spent time at two properties, and then went to Worthing Court Apartments on the mentioned date.

On his arrival, he spoke to the receptionist about a booking in his name and identified it as his reservation. She informed him to return in 30 minutes for his room to be ready.

The complainant discovered that his card had been charged by a hotel booking site on behalf of Worthing Court and contacted the police, who responded to the establishment and arrested the accused and two of his friends. He told police that he had contacted a man named Patchie for help and was sent the credit card information. Police checked his call logs and messages and found the duo’s conversations.

Johnson, who was represented by defence attorney Michael Rivera, told the court he booked a trip to Barbados through a man in Trinidad who said he was a travel agent. When it was time for him to leave Barbados, however, there was no ticket available. He contacted the man, who gave him a credit card number, saying it was his uncle’s and to use it to book for two nights while the return ticket was sorted. Johnson did so and was later arrested by police.

After Johnson said he was willing to repay the funds, Marshall, who appeared in court, agreed to be compensated.

Magistrate Jared Richards ordered Johnson to pay Marshall $600 and reprimanded and discharged him for the offence.

The magistrate said: “Mr Johnson, please understand that you have been particularly lucky. When things do not look like they are real, they are not. Organise your business so that you are not placed in this position again. Your vacation is now over as the officials from the Immigration Department will now escort you to the airport.”

“Thank you, sir. Trust me, this will never happen to me again,” Johnson stated as he left the dock.

(JB)