Woman accused of fleecing several in overseas job scam remanded
A woman whom the police believe has been operating an overseas employment scam, in which more than 500 persons may have been fleeced of approximately US$1,070 each, was remanded into custody when she appeared in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court this week.
The woman, Claudia Verona Roberts of Hermitage, Hope Bay, Portland, who the police believe was the mastermind behind the scam, is facing 100 counts on the charge of obtaining money by false pretences.
Several of the persons who said they paid over money to the accused flooded the court this week.
The matter was, however, rescheduled for November 14 to allow Fraud Squad detectives to carry out further investigations. Roberts was subsequently remanded into custody by presiding magistrate Judith Pusey, and also ordered to have her fingerprints taken by the police.
According to Fraud Squad detectives, Roberts allegedly opened an office in downtown Kingston called Medley Corporations and subsequently advertised in a daily paper about opportunities for clients to work overseas via her company. Scores of persons, investigators said, replied to the advertisement and paid over monies to Medley. However, after significant periods elapsed and the jobs did not materialise for the applicants, the police were notified. Roberts was taken into custody by the Fraud Squad last Tuesday.
The fees involved US$950 to get overseas work permits as well as US $120 for processing and other miscellaneous services.
According to the Fraud Squad, Roberts allegedly collected approximately US$2.1 million between June and August this year from at least 100 people who had responded to the advertisement.
The police alleged that the total number of persons who may have paid over money to Roberts could exceed 500, and that the total amount of money paid over to her may be in the region of $20 million.
Meanwhile, the police said they were seeking another person, whose identity was not released, in connection with the employment scheme. In the meantime, investigators have urged persons who paid over money to Medley to contact the Fraud Squad.
