A police officer has been charged in connection with incidents of extortion.

38-year-old Naboth Bynoe, appeared before Master Indira Chinebas at the Couva Master’s Court on May 1st, charged with two counts of Demanding Money by Menaces, Kidnapping, Robbery, and one count of Larceny.

He was granted $650,000 bail.

The charges stem from two separate reports with the same MO.

In the first incident, a 39-year-old victim arranged to meet someone with whom he had been communicating on Instagram between January and March 2025.

At the agreed location – a pharmacy car park in Couva – the victim was in his vehicle when a man wearing dark clothing, a hat, and wearing a medical face mask, knocked on his window.

The man produced what appeared to be a TTPS ID card and claimed to be attached to the Couva Police Station.

He ordered the victim into the passenger seat and drove to a car park near the Couva Health Facility, where he accused the victim of communicating with someone who was underage.

He further claimed that the person he had been communicating with was traumatised and had to seek counselling in the sum of $30,000.

The suspect suggested that the matter could be resolved if counselling fee was repaid, with him acting on behalf of the alleged traumatised person.

When the victim indicated that he only had $5,000, the suspect drove to a bank where he withdrew and handed over more money.

The suspect told the victim he would be contacted later for the balance before leaving on foot.

Meanwhile in the second incident, another victim was again parked at the same location when he was approached by a man wearing a blue polo shirt with a printed TTPS logo.

The man produced what appeared to be a TTPS ID card and accused the victim of attempting to meet an underage person.

The suspect entered the driver’s seat and drove the victim against his will to another car park near the Couva Health Facility.

He demanded $100,000 to forgo prosecution and seized the victim’s phone, using it to attempt a withdrawal of $300 via a cashless app.

He also took the victim’s phone before leaving on foot.

The victim later received an e-mail indicating the transaction was unsuccessful.

Following investigations, PC Bynoe was arrested and charged.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a 43-year-old man was granted $200,000 bail after appearing before Master Kateisha Ambrose-Persadsingh at the Princes Town Masters South A Court on April 25th charged with Demanding Money by Menaces.

This stems from an incident on February 24th 2025, in which a 46-year-old businessman and farm proprietor, reported bring threatened.

He said the suspect demanded $30,000 for the continued operation of his business.