Westmoreland Businessman Charged in Car Buying Fraud Scheme

Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland — A businessman from Westmoreland has been charged for allegedly defrauding individuals in a car-buying scam.

The accused, 47-year-old Andre Poorman of Amity district in Savanna-la-Mar, has been charged with  fraudulent conversion. According to reports from the Half-Way Tree Police, Poorman was involved in two separate incidents where he collected substantial sums of money for vehicles but failed to deliver on the agreements.

In the first incident, which occurred in December 2021, Poorman allegedly received over $900,000  from a man as part of a payment for a  2012 Toyota Hiace bus  valued at $3,500,000. After collecting the money, Poorman reportedly ceased all communication with the complainant and failed to provide the vehicle or return the funds.

A second incident between February and March 2023  involved another victim who paid Poorman $1,750,000  towards the purchase of a 2016 Toyota Hiace bus, also valued at $3,500,000. Similarly, Poorman reportedly stopped communicating with the buyer after receiving the money and did not fulfill the transaction.

Following investigations, Poorman was arrested and charged. He is set to appear before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Thursday, October 3 to face the charges.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have had similar dealings with Poorman to come forward.