Friday, September 13, 2024

3 THE WEEKEND STAR NEWS • September 13 - 15, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com TIFFANY TAYLOR STAR Writer A 28-year-old woman is currently before the courts for allegedly defrauding three Corporate Area men out of millions of dollars for motor vehicle-related services. The accused, Britney Harris, appeared before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell on Thursday, where one of the matters against her was heard. In this case, the court learned that Harris contacted a complainant, claiming to be a police inspector. She allegedly told him that his stolen 2016 Toyota Probox had been recovered and demanded $200,000 to facilitate the return of the vehicle. Prosecutors assert that the complainant handed over $60,000, but the vehicle has not been returned. As a result, Harris was charged with obtaining money by false pretence. Harris also faces a second charge of obtaining money by false pretence. In this instance, first mentioned in July, she allegedly received $200,000 from another complainant after posing as a police officer who could assist in retrieving his impounded 2014 Toyota Fielder. Senior Parish Judge Burrell expressed concern over the allegations, suggesting that Harris might not be acting alone. “It appears there is more to it, that there is someone else involved, because how does she knows that cars are reported stolen or impounded? Furthermore, she has the names and contact information for these people,” Burrell remarked. In another case mentioned on Thursday, Harris is accused of swindling $2.42 million from a complainant by falsely claiming to be the owner of a rented 2016 Mercedes Benz. In that matter, Harris allegedly rented the luxury motor car then allegedly sold it to the male complainant, with the agreement that the motor vehicle title would be provided at a later date. However, after the complainant received the vehicle, he noted that the air conditioning was not working and contacted Harris to have the issue repaired. The complainant was contacted by the true owner of the vehicle, when it was revealed that Harris rented the vehicle. Burrell, citing concerns about Harris’ safety and the possibility of other individuals being involved in the fraud, ordered that she be remanded in custody. “She has to stay in custody, not because I think anything will happen to her, but I think she is playing a dangerous game and there is somebody else involved. How is she able to get the name and telephone number for these people? I’m not putting her back on bail,” the judge remarked. Harris, who has not yet entered a plea, is expected to return to court on November 13, when the matters will be mentioned again. Shocking scam lands alleged fraudster behind bars A Corporate Area man was issued a stern warning by Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell on Monday, after he charged 30 per cent interest rate on a personal loan to an acquaintance. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court that, between April 20 and May 16, the defendant, Markous Moore, borrowed $100,000 from the complainant. It was disclosed that Moore was expected to repay $130,000. However, Judge Burrell was appalled when the details of the agreement were shared in open court. “That is illegal!” she said fuming. “That is more interest than the bank, even more than the interest on a credit card. You need to be careful. It is called usury and you could actually get charged for it,” the senior judge informed the complainant. Under the Money Lending Act, it is illegal to charge an interest rate that is “excessive ... and unconscionable”. Moore, who was before the court for larceny by trick, was subsequently discharged from the court with a formal verdict of not guilty, after making full restitution in court. – T.T. Judge warns against high interest rates A recent high school graduate from St Catherine revealed in court on Thursday that she was devastated and ashamed after being allegedly swin- dled out of nearly $500,000 by a man who promised to help her secure a job in Canada. The teary-eyed young woman said in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court that she paid over the monies to the accused, Harvey Dawkins, on several dates in New Kingston. Dawkins, the court heard, was introduced to the complainant through her mother, as he purported himself to be employed at the Canadian High Commission and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court that Dawkins allegedly told the complainant that he could assist her in securing a job in Canada as well as to attain a Canadian visa. A total of $435,000 was paid over to the 59-year-old man. “I am ashamed. He was a customer of my mother, and she told him that I had just completed high school and that I did a programme at HEART. I have bank statements to show the withdrawals I made and my mother even accompanied me to the ATM to withdraw the cash to hand over to him,” the complainant said. According to the complainant, she paid over monies to the accused, Harvey Dawkins, on several dates in New Kingston. “I have cried about it already,” the woman added, as her mother stood behind her with tears streaming down her face. Dawkins was introduced to the complainant through her mother, as he purported himself to be employed at the Canadian High Commission and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It was shared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court that Dawkins allegedly told the complainant that he could assist her in securing a job in Canada as well as to attain a Canadian visa. A total of $435,000 was paid over to the 59-year-old man. “Your mother needs to pay you back your money. I’m sorry,” Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell said. “Madam, you brought a fox into the hen house,” the judge said to the complainant’s mother. Dawkins, who is charged on an indictment of obtaining money by means of false pretence, non-delivery of goods or services on a contracted date, and operating an employment agency without a licence, was described by the complainant as being avoidant and elusive. “He has been avoiding me about returning my money. He doesn’t answer my calls and even told me that he was in Mandeville. But when he was arrested, the police said he was at his home in Portmore,” the complainant shared. Dawkins, who has no legal representation, was remanded in custody until November 12, to allow for the investigator to attend court. Woman cries in court after daughter was conned