Woman loses $100,000 via online app
MONTEGO BAY, St James – A woman who asked a new friend to help her set up online banking sought recourse from the court after $100,000 went missing from her account.
Ashalee Innis was charged with receiving stolen property; however, the matter was settled through alternative dispute resolution. The matter was brought before Parish Judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.
According to prosecutors, Innis met the complainant a month before the incident.
The court was told that the complainant approached Innis and asked her to assist her in setting up online banking. Innis complied.
At some point, the complainant received a call from the bank with a warning that an attempt was being made to hack her account. As a result she asked Innis to remove the online banking app from her phone.
Innis complied but when the complainant checked her account a few days later she discovered several transfers going from her account to Innis’s account on June 6. The total amount transferred was $100,000.
The matter was reported to the police and, when cautioned, Innis stated that she had no idea how the money ended up in her account.
During Wednesday’s hearing Smith-Ashley asked the parties if they wanted to try mediation, to which they agreed.
The case was stood down to allow the parties to participate in a session with a mediator who was present in court.
When the case was revisited the court was informed that the pair had reached an agreement.
As a result, the prosecution offered no evidence against Innis and the case was discharged.