Scam artist jailed for 9 years, admits to defrauding young girls

A 37-year-old scam artist was on Friday sentenced to nine years’ jail by City Magistrate, Judy Latchman for swindling several women over fraudulent job offers.

Troy Webster admitted that between August 17 and August 21, 2017 with the intention to defraud, Webster obtained $7,000 each from Lisa Prince, Marissa Williams, Kenisha Williams Boyce, Nekisha Haynes, Tamara Summerset and Anesia Jones by falsely pretending that he was in a position to offer them jobs, knowing same to be false.

According to reports, Webster posed as a businessman, in search of women to suitably fill the vacancies of Sales Representatives in his stores at Parika and Giftland. The women handed over the monies along with a copy of their ID cards to Webster and he promised to contact them.

However, the women reported the matter after Webster failed to call. During a police investigation, it was releveled that Webster was not a businessman and did not have any stores.

Police Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves revealed to the court that in 2014, Webster was convicted for three years after he was found guilty by former Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry of similar offences.

Magistrate Latchman scolded Webster about his actions and said, “Obviously you didn’t learn your lesion the last time.” Webster was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on each charge, which will run consecutively.