World · North America · 1 hr ago
Ontario woman convicted of defrauding friend of $44,100 in Buddha statue scheme
An Ontario court convicted Vishwantee Persaud of fraud after finding she cheated a friend out of $44,100.
The case involved Carolina Gopaul, Persaud’s neighbour in Brampton, who shared interests in spirituality, faith, healing and Buddhism with her.
Prosecutors said Persaud took about $120,000 from Gopaul between 2017 and 2019, but the court found just over a third of that amount was proven.
Some of the money was given for Buddha statues that Persaud said her brother in Montreal would make.
The judge said the statues were never made and were never intended to be made.
Persaud had previously been charged with witchcraft, but the story does not say what happens next in the fraud case.
Vishwantee Persaud was convicted of fraud over $5,000 for defrauding her friend Carolina Gopaul of $44,100.
Persaud promised that a fictitious brother in Montreal would make Buddha statues for Gopaul.
The Crown had alleged that Persaud obtained about $120,000 from Gopaul between 2017 and 2019.
The Ontario Court of Justice found that the Buddha statues Gopaul paid for were never made and were never intended to be made.
- Who
- Vishwantee Persaud was convicted of defrauding her friend, Carolina Gopaul.
- What
- Persaud was convicted of fraud over $5,000. The article says she defrauded Gopaul of $44,100.
- When
- The Crown alleged the fraud took place between 2017 and 2019. The conviction was reported on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Brampton, Ontario; the case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice.
- Why
- The Crown said Persaud induced Gopaul to provide money for purported faith- and healing-related purposes that were fraudulent.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Crown alleged Persaud defrauded Gopaul during this period.
The Ontario Court of Justice found Persaud guilty of fraud over $5,000.
- Convicted woman
- Vishwantee Persaud
- Victim
- Carolina Gopaul
- Amount in conviction
- $44,100
- Crown's allegation
- Approximately $120,000
- Alleged period
- 2017–2019
- Court
- Ontario Court of Justice
What people are saying
The Buddha statues for which (the fraud victim) paid were never made and were never intended to be made
Sources
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