Couva bar owner charged for land fraud

In a release, police said Ernest Todd of Dow Village, California fraudulently obtained $100,000 by pretending to be the owner of a parcel of land.

Todd is also the owner of Larry's Bar at First Street, Dow Village.

He was arrested on Thursday, charged on Friday and has since been granted $90,000 bail. He will appear at the Port of Spain magistrates’ court on April 29.

The release said Todd entered a sale agreement with a couple in 2019 and provided them with fake documents claiming ownership of the land.

“After a delay in conveying ownership of the land to them, the couple became suspicious. They subsequently learned that the land, which was previously under the administration of Caroni (1975) Ltd, was red-flagged after being sold several times to unsuspecting persons.

“After attempts to get a refund from the suspect proved futile, the couple made a report to the Fraud Squad.”

In March 2020, Todd was also charged with opening his bar when the public health ordinance at the time prohibited such businesses from operating.