By Tahna Weston
Tahna.weston@antiguaobserver .com
A 21-year-old woman of Belmont is expected to appear before a magistrate this week after police arrested her for committing fraud.
According to police reports, Keithesha Edwards is accused of fraudulently converting $4,800 dollars — entrusted to her for box money — for her own use.
The offence reportedly occurred between November 1, 2023 and June 9, 2024 at St Mary’s Street.
At least three women reached out to Observer about their experience with what they believed was a legitimate box, but has left them losing thousands of dollars.
According to one of the victims, she was referred to the box by a friend in November last year and joined because there were very good reviews about the saving scheme and how it was set up.
What she, as well as the other victims, said gave them some assurance about its legitimacy was the fact that they had to present a number of documents including a job letter, payslips, identification, and also signed a contract.
The box money could be paid in person or via direct transfer.
However, after going through what seemed like an airtight process, the victim said that in February Edwards told her that she was the victim of a robbery.
She also made that those still waiting to get their box hand could continue to throw their money and would get their hand at the pre-determined date.
However, the woman said that when it was time to receive her money she was given an excuse that some persons who had already received their “box hand” had failed to continue to pay their money. Promises were made to get the money to her, but weeks passed and no word was heard from the accused, which prompted the victim to file court proceedings in order to recoup her $9,200.
This matter is set for hearing on November 6.
Edwards reportedly made attempts to start paying the victim $500 in order to settle the debt, but the court case had already been filed.
Another woman who was also introduced to the box by a friend told Observer that she is owed $37,700. She shared that she was told that the weekly box payment was $300 and she was “throwing three hands”.
However she added that the box came to an abrupt end with a similar excuse that persons were not throwing their money. Fed up with the excuses, the victim said she decided to make a report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), which prompted an investigation leading Edwards being arrested and charged.
Another victim says she is owed $10,000 while two of her friends are owed $35,000 and $45,000 respectively.
