AN ex-convict, who tricked a man out of almost $295,000 after telling him that he had “links” at the wharves and could get him a motorcar, was on Wednesday sentenced to two years in prison.

Toriano Rowe, a private investigator of Chisolm Avenue in Kingston, was sentenced by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey after he pleaded guilty to obtaining money by false pretense.

“If you don’t stay out of trouble you are constantly going to go prison,” the magistrate said to Rowe, who earlier informed her that he had been previously convicted for a similar offence.

The police said that in September the complainant expressed the desire to purchase a vehicle and was introduced to Rowe, who told him that he had connections at the wharf and could get him a motor car.

The complainant told Rowe that he had $300,000 and Rowe promised to get him a Toyota Axio or a Mark X.

On September 7, the complainant handed over $250,000 to Rowe after taking out a bank loan.

The following day, Rowe contacted the complainant and told him that he needed $45,000 more to take to the tax office, and the complainant complied.

Rowe later contacted the complainant and requested a further $50,000, but the complainant told him that Rowe would first have to take him to the person who was handling the sale of the vehicle.

The complainant subsequently asked Rowe to return his money and after the money was not forthcoming, the complainant reported that matter and Rowe was arrested and charged.

— Tanesha Mundle