Taxi driver scammed

A Kingston woman who deceived a taxi driver into paying more than $300,000 for the purchase of a motor vehicle was denied bail when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Dorett Wilson-Clarke has been charged with obtaining money by means of false pretence. She has not yet entered a plea. The allegations are that on July 29 about 7:20 p.m., Wilson-Clarke told the complainant that she was employed with a car company that imports vehicles and was wondering if the complainant was interested in purchasing a vehicle. He told her that he was interested.

On July 31, the accused sent pictures to the complainant of a Toyota Rav 4 and informed him that it cost J$2,245,000. The parties agreed that the money was to be paid in three instalments. Wilson-Clarke received $310,000 from the complainant for the purchase of a car. She indicated that the vehicle had reached Jamaica and that the alleged car company would license and insure it, so that he could collect it.

On August 27, the complainant made a report to the Half-Way Tree Police Station and on September 9, Wilson-Clarke's home was searched. She was arrested and charged on November 10. On caution, Wilson-Clarke said, "I only took $210,000 from him."

Her lawyer, Marlon Bennett, made a bail application before Parish Judge Jacqueline Wilcott. His submission to the court stated that his client was the alleged victim of a fraudulent company. However, the police were opposed to bail as the court heard that the accused has impending fraud charges. Wilcott denied her bail. The accused is expected to be brought back to court on January 10 when her case is mentioned.

- T.T.