Six fraud matters committed for pastor

By Zaya Williams

A fraud accused pastor had some his cases committed in the Magistrate’s court today which means that he could face serious penalties if he is convicted of the crimes in the High Court.

Pastor Gavin Otto is facing several criminal charges for reportedly scamming many residents over two years.

He is charged with fraudulent conversion and obtaining money by false pretenses in relation to atleast six individuals.

In one of the accusations, Otto reportedly accepted $16,000 from a woman in exchange for two 40ft storage containers in February 2021 but reports are that the woman never received the containers even several months later

It is alleged that the woman contacted Otto who repaid her by cheque which bounced.

He is then said to have delivered one container to the woman. The second was reportedly never obtained.

But the accusations against the pastor thickened when another allegation was brought against him.

It is alleged that between July 4 and August 26, 2022, he reportedly exchanged several cheques at the Bridge Service station totalling over $20,000.

Just like what happened to the woman, all the cheques are said to have bounced and were returned to the gas station owner for insufficient funds.

But the accusations against Pastor Otto continue; on July 13 last year, he allegedly convinced another individual to purchase building materials from him.

Reports are that he bought and delivered the building materials costing around $30,000 then told the individual that he needed money to “clear the others”

The “man of God” was allegedly paid $99,000 but never provided the materials.

Ottos, in an attempt to repay the complainant, gave him a $69,000 cheque which, like the others, had reportedly bounced.

And things kept getting worst, in September 2022, he reportedly overheard a conversation at a bar between two men.

The conversation was about needing building materials and Otto reportedly quickly sprang into action, saying that he could purchase steel at a discount, given that he was a pastor.

The man, like many others who trust men of the cloth, allegedly paid $16,000 for four bundles of steel but only received two.

Otto, who is on remand, also saw cases in relation two similar alleged scams being sent up to the High Court for a Judge to deal with.

He also has another more recent matter which he will return to the Magistrate’s court for.