A man, who allegedly took $261,000 from three persons saying he was securing overseas employ ment on their behalf, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer to charges of obtaining money by false pretence.

Allegations are that the accused, Rohan Simms, took $90,000, $95,000 and $76,000 from the three complainants before signing an agreement stating that he would get overseas employment for them. When no employment was secured, the matter was reported to the police and Simms taken into custody.

When the complainants produced the agreement in court, the accused said he did not sign any such document.

Resident Magistrate Glen Brown then ordered that the files be sent to the handwriting specialist for analysis.

The matter is to reappear before the courts on May 13.