A Nigerian man who was
jailed two months ago over a scheme to swindle Citibank in New York City has
been charged to court again today, July 31st for a fresh offence of
cheating.
Amos Paul Gabriel, 48, was
charged via video-link for cheating a person named Milled Ed Khouri, who was at
Changi Prison Complex between January and May last year with Amos. He is
accused of deceiving the victim into delivering AUD40,000 (S$37,745) to another
person by telling him the money would be used to post bail for him.
Amos is currently serving a
three-year jail term meted out on May 16 for money laundering and traffic
offences. He was involved in a broader money-laundering scheme involving
transfers of about US$27.2 million to accounts in the United States, Australia,
Japan, China, Hong Kong and Korea.
District Judge Terence Tay
asked Amos on Wednesday via video-link how he intends to plead.
“I’m not pleading any
charge,” Amos replied. “I think I need to talk to my lawyer. I have a
lawyer but I’m not aware of this case. I only received the information last
night that I’m coming to court.”
In response, the judge
answered,
“You should be aware by
now, because you are now in court, there are a lot of people here looking at
you.”
He granted Amos an
adjournment to speak to a lawyer. He will return to court on August 28. If
convicted of cheating, he faces up to 10 years’ jail and a fine.