KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 23-year-old student, accused of swindling over US$4,000 from several United States residents, got her bail extended when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s court last Wednesday.

The crown is alleging that Fiona Able, a resident of Hellshire in St Catherine, and an accomplice told the complainant that she won US$50,000 in the lottery, and in order to claim her prize she was instructed to pay processing fees.

It is also alleged that Able’s accomplice sent documents purportedly from the Bank of America, the IRS and Publishers Clearing House to the complainant via FedEx with an Old Harbour Road, St Catherine return address.

On July 16 the accused was accosted at the Sagicor Bank on Trafalgar Road in New Kingston and a search subsequently conducted at her St Catherine home. She was taken into custody and a question-and-answer session conducted in the presence of her attorney.

Able is charged for obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy to defraud, and engaging in a transaction that includes criminal property.

A mention date was set for September 8, 2014.

Racquel Porter