Arima Couple Charged With Obtaining Money By False Pretences

A husband and wife appeared in Court on Friday (26th September, 2025) after being formally charged with obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to the Larceny Act, following a detailed investigation by the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

According to the TTPS, on Thursday (25th September, 2025), Steve Watson and his wife, Patricia Watson, both of Wallerfield, Arima, were jointly charged with the offence by Woman Police Constable (WPC) Campbell of the ACIB.

The charges arose from a report made in January 2023 by the Head of a State Agency responsible for the management and distribution of State Lands, which flagged irregularities concerning a document allegedly issued by the agency for a parcel of land located in the Jacob Hill, Arima area.

Investigations revealed that the victim paid the couple a total of $140,000 for the purported purchase of land at Ginger Lilly Drive, Jacob Hill, Arima. The couple allegedly misrepresented that the land was registered in the name of Steve Watson and another individual at the State Agency. However, subsequent checks confirmed that no such record existed. As a result, the representation was deemed false, and the victim was defrauded of the entire sum.

The accused appeared before Master Lisa Singh Phillip at the Arima Magistrates’ Court on Friday (26th September, 2025). Bail in the sum of $150,000 each, with surety and specific conditions, was granted. The matter was adjourned to 24th October, 2025.

TTPS Public Advisory

The TTPS is urging members of the public to exercise extreme caution when conducting financial transactions, especially those involving land and property purchases.

Members of the public are strongly advised to:

• Seek qualified legal advice.
• Conduct proper title searches.
• Verify ownership with the relevant State agencies before making any payments.

The co-ordinated investigation was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Intelligence and Investigations, Suzette Martin, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), White-Collar Crime, Denis Knutt.

The operation was spearheaded by Senior Superintendent Avinash Singh and Woman Superintendent Theodore-Persad, and executed by WPC Campbell, with critical support from Inspector Mohammed, Sergeant Orthello, Corporal Pitt, WPC Loney-Phillip, and other members of the ACIB.