Spanish Town Court Grants $1 Million Bail to Motor Vehicle Fraud Accused

A St Catherine businessman who stands accused of taking millions from customers for motor vehicles that were never supplied has been granted $1 million bail with surety following a Friday appearance in parish court.

Akeem Thomas is facing three counts of fraudulent conversion and non-delivery of service.

Authorities allege that he received approximately $6 million from three complainants as partial payments toward motor vehicles.

His lawyer, Shelldon Campbell, successfully applied for bail before Acting Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle.

In the application, Campbell said Thomas was prepared to repay the complainants.

The judge told the accused that bail was granted solely to allow him to make restitution ahead of his next court date on September 29.

Among the conditions imposed, Thomas must report to the Spanish Town Police Station, surrender his travel documents, and submit to fingerprinting. A stop order was also placed on him.

The matter stems from claims that in March, Thomas took payments from the three complainants after promising to provide them with motor vehicles.

It is further alleged that the vehicles were not supplied by the agreed dates, which led the complainants to take the issue to the police.

After an investigation, Thomas was arrested and formally charged.