ST JAMES, Jamaica – Yashine Walters was fortunate to escape prison after duping a woman out of $58,000 by tricking her into purchasing a dirty phone case rather than an iPhone via online purchase.

The defendant appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and conspiracy to defraud.

According to court records, the complainant went on Facebook on January 30 and visited a business page called Royal Hennessy, where she discovered mobile phones being advertised for sale.

She contacted someone on the site and was given a phone number where she could speak with the seller. The seller confirmed that an iPhone 12 Pro-Max was being sold for $65,000. She received a discount, and they both agreed on $58,000.

The seller then provided a bank account number, and the complainant deposited $58,000 into the account the next day. The seller acknowledged receipt and informed the complainant that she was at Knutsford Express in Negril sending off the package to her.

When the complainant received the package, she was dismayed to discover a dirty phone case in place of the iPhone. The complainant then attempted to contact the accused, but she declined to respond.

As a result, the complainant reported the matter to Area One Fraud Squad detectives, and Walters was arrested on June 6.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the pair consented to participate in a mediation session with a probation officer who was present in court. They reached an agreement, and Walters handed over $60,000 to the complainant.

The prosecution subsequently offered no evidence against Walters.

“You had your good name, and now you put a black spot on it, presiding judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley told Walters.

“If the matter had gone to trial and you were found guilty, you could have been sentenced to prison,” the judge added, before allowing the defendant to leave the courtroom.