In this case, the victims who lodged a complaint are fifteen. Domiciled in mainland France, in 2016 they bought goods with a value mostly between 500 and 1 euros (camera, bicycle, food processor, etc.) on a popular national online classifieds site. But they never received the goods. The money was in fact directed towards the bank account of VM, domiciled in Saint-Martin. VM then donated this money to a so-called association helping children in Benin in Africa. It was a scam. She was prosecuted and appeared before the Saint Martin Criminal Court last week.
To the investigators and back to the stand, she explained that at the time of the facts, she was in financial difficulty. "On Facebook, I saw a loan of 5 euros," explains the one who wanted to take advantage of it. "I was told that I would also receive sums of money on my account that I had to donate to an association that was working on the construction of an orphanage in Benin," she continues. And to confide that she never doubted that it could be a scam. "I was not shocked because it was to help children ... I fished out of naivety," she admits to the magistrates.
Nine of the victims have lodged a civil action and claim to be reimbursed up to 16 euros (all sums combined).
After deliberation, the court imposed a fine of 2 euros with a stay. It must also reimburse the civil parties for the sums requested. (Source: www.soualigapost.com)
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