Alleged St Catherine overseas employment fraudster remanded

St Catherine resident Jerome Walters, who is accused of defrauding persons in an alleged overseas employment scam, was remanded when he appeared before the Catherine Parish Court on Friday.

Walters is charged with obtaining money by means of false pretence and fraudulent conversion.

However, bail was extended for his co-accused, Kadine Hamilton, who is charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Twenty-five of the complainants who allegedly paid $74,000 each were in court.

Presiding Parish Court Judge Yvette Wenthworth-Miller informed them to keep in touch with police to see how the matter progresses.

The accused were ordered to return to court on March 8, when the matter will again be mentioned.

Allegations outlined by the Clerk of Courts are that between November 2023 and February 2024 the accused purported to be a recruiter for a work and travel programme in Canada.

It was outlined that Hamilton was Walters' personal secretary who would allegedly make contact with the complainants.

The court heard that each complainant was required to pay $74,000 each, which was lodged to accounts at two commercial banks under the name Walters World Exchange Services.

It is being alleged that the complainants were told that the money would be going to his business associates in Canada as part of the jobs programme.

With no jobs and multiple excuses, the persons who allegedly paid money became disquiet and later contacted the police.

An investigation revealed that the licence for Walters' business to operate expired in 2021.

He was subsequently arrested and further investigations led to fraud charges being laid.

The court was informed that Walters is being represented by King's Counsel Peter Champagnie. 

- Rasbert Turner

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