Man seeks to recoup money after businessman’s shock death

A man who said he was conned out of $1.65 million by businessman Deon Singh, who shot and killed a policeman before allegedly taking his own life on Monday, is thinking of taking legal action to recover all of his money.

Keino Johnson, 42, said that he went to Singh's Motors, which Singh operated with his wife, in April 2023, looking to purchase a 2012 vehicle.

"The man working there turned to me and said, by three weeks time, we'll have one coming and mi pay them pon spot," he explained. However, after months of waiting and numerous unanswered calls, Johnson's patience wore thin. The father of seven said that he relies on his taxi operations to make a living.

"I'm not rich, I'm not a boss or anything. I have a lot of kids fi take care of so you know how that affect me," he said.

On Monday, Singh and his wife Sophia were brought before the courts answering to three counts of failure to deliver goods and services by a contracted date and three counts of fraudulent conversion. It is alleged that three complainants engaged the couple to import vehicles. The court was informed by the investigator that the complainants were refunded prior to the matter being called up in court. The Singhs were subsequently discharged but investigators from the Criminal Investigative Branch of the Half-Way Tree Police Station declared that they had an interest in speaking with them. Singh and his wife were escorted from the courtroom by a police officer and taken to the Half-Way Tree Police Station. Sometime after 6 p.m., while the police were attempting to arrest Singh, he allegedly disarmed a cop and shot Mayne. It is further alleged that he then shot himself. Both men were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead. Johnson said that he has received partial payment but is sure he is going to take legal action as he has everything to show that he was in business with the company.

Attorney-at-law Richard Lynch advised anyone seeking restitution that they can take legal action against either the estate of Mr Singh or sue the company directly, with the claim coming by registered post.

"And then thereafter, if they don't respond, you prove service, you get summary judgment in your favour, and then they go to proceedings to enforce the judgment. Meaning if a company has any assets, they can levy the debt against that," he said.

Lynch advised persons that there is a criminal and civil element, the latter being the preferred option for persons trying to get their money back.

"But most people just try to pressure it through the criminal courts and more likely than not, restitution will be made and once restitution is made, then that's the end of that," he said.