Woman sold dirty phone case for iPhone

A woman who conned another woman out of $58,000 by promising to sell her an iPhone wound up having to repay the complainant $60,000 in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Yashine Walters was before the court on charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretence. Allegations are that on January 20, the complainant saw a Facebook page advertising mobile phones for sale. Through the page, she got a phone number by which she contacted Walters. Arrangements were made for the complainant to deposit $58,000 into a bank account to purchase an iPhone 12 Pro Max.

However, when the complainant got her expected package, there was a dirty phone case inside it instead of the phone she was promised. Subsequent calls to Walters' number for an explanation went unanswered. A report was then made to the Area One Fraud Squad, and following investigations, Walters was arrested and charged on June 6.

In court on Wednesday, Walters handed over $60,000 to the complainant in reimbursement. The prosecution subsequently made a no-evidence submission in relation to Walters' charges.

Before disposing of the matter, presiding judge Sasha-Marie Ashley scolded Walters for her actions.

"You were born with your good, good name, and now you have put a black spot on it. It does not make sense, and if this matter had gone to trial and you were found guilty, you could have gone to prison," Judge Ashley told Walters, before allowing her to leave the courtroom.